[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 118 (Monday, July 18, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3332-S3333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control
Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain
proposed arms sales as defined by that statute.
[[Page S3333]]
Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which
the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate,
the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant
information is available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to
have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received.
If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is
available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations
Committee, room SD-423.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Defense Security
Cooperation Agency,
Washington, DC, July 15, 2022.
Hon. Robert Menendez,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to the reporting requirements
of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 22-42,
concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Norway for defense articles
and services estimated to cost $950 million. After this
letter is delivered to your office, we plan to issue a news
release to notify the public of this proposed sale.
Sincerely,
James A. Hursch,
Director.
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 22-42
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended
(i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Norway.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $800 million.
Other $150 million.
Total $950 million.
Funding Source: National Funds
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Two hundred five (205) AIM-120 D-series Advanced Medium-
Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs).
Sixty (60) AIM-120 C-8 or D-series AMRAAMs.
Four (4) AIM-120D AMRAAM Guidance Sections.
Non-MDE: Also included are AIM-120 Control Sections,
Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs), and missile
containers; weapon system support equipment; integration
support and test equipment; transportation; repair and return
support and equipment; warranties; classified and
unclassified software delivery and support; spare and repair
parts, consumables, and accessories; publications and
technical documentation; maintenance and maintenance support;
personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government
and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support
services, studies and surveys; and other related elements of
logistical and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Air Force (NO-D-YAE, NO-D-YAG).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None.
(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed
to be Paid: None known at this time.
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense
Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Attached
Annex.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: July 15, 2022.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Norway--AIM-120 C-8 or D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles
The Government of Norway has requested to buy two hundred
five (205) AIM-120 D-series Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air
Missiles (AMRAAMs); sixty (60) AIM-120 C-8 or D-series
AMRAAMs; and four (4) AIM-120D AMRAAM Guidance Sections. Also
included are AIM-120 Control Sections, Captive Air Training
Missiles (CATMs), and missile containers; weapon system
support equipment; integration support and test equipment;
transportation; repair and return support and equipment;
warranties; classified and unclassified software delivery and
support; spare and repair parts, consumables, and
accessories; publications and technical documentation;
maintenance and maintenance support; personnel training and
training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor
engineering, technical and logistics support services,
studies and surveys; and other related elements of logistical
and program support. The estimated total cost is $950
million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals
and national security objectives of the United States by
improving the security of a NATO ally that is an important
force for political stability and economic progress in
Europe.
The proposed sale will improve Norway's capability to meet
current and future threats by providing advanced air-to-air
capability for its F-35A fleet, enabling it to fulfill NATO
missions and meet U.S. European Command's goal of combined
air operations interoperability and standardization between
Norwegian and U.S. forces. Norway will have no difficulty
absorbing these weapons into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems
Company, Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset
agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the
assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor
representatives to Norway.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 22-42
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act
Annex Item No. vii
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
1. The AIM-120C-8 and D-series Advanced Medium Range Air-
to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) are supersonic, air-launched, aerial
intercept, guided missiles featuring digital technology and
micro-miniature solid-state electronics. AMRAAM capabilities
include look-down/shoot-down, multiple launches against
multiple targets, resistance to electronic countermeasures,
and interception of high- and low-flying and maneuvering
targets. State-of-the-art technology is used in the missile
to provide it with beyond-visual-range capability.
a. The increase in capability from the AIM-120C-8 to AIM-
120D consists of a two-way data link, a more accurate
navigation unit with Global Positioning System (GPS) updates,
improved high-off boresight (HOBS) capability, and enhanced
aircraft-to-missile position handoff.
b. The AIM-120D features a quadrangle target detection
device and an electronics unit within the guidance section
that performs all radar signal processing, mid-course and
terminal guidance, flight control, target detection, and
warhead detonation. The AIM-120D-3 is a form, fit, function
refresh of the AIM-120D and is the next generation to be
produced.
c. The potential sale will include Captive Air Training
Missiles (CATMs) and AMRAAM Guidance Section spares. It is
the AMRAAM's advanced guidance section and mature seeker
design that allow it to find targets quickly in the most
challenging environments.
2. The highest level of classification of defense articles,
components, and services included in this potential sale is
SECRET.
3. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain
knowledge of the specific hardware and software elements, the
information could be used to develop countermeasures that
might reduce weapon system effectiveness or be used in the
development of a system with similar or advanced
capabilities.
4. A determination has been made that Norway can provide
substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive
technology being released as the U.S. Government. This
proposed sale is necessary in furtherance of the U.S. foreign
policy and national security objectives outlined in the
Policy Justification.
5. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal have been authorized for release and export to
the Government of Norway.
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