[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 175 (Monday, November 14, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6648-S6649]
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. 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.
     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. 22-57, 
     concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and 
     Acceptance to the Government of Australia for defense 
     articles and services estimated to cost $162 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. 22-57

     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 Australia.
       (ii) Total Estimated Value:
       Major Defense Equipment* $0 million.
       Other $162 million.
       Total $162 million.
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase: Foreign Military 
     Sales (FMS) case AT-P-KOB was below congressional 
     notification threshold at $89.8 million for non-MDE MH-60R 
     sustainment. The Government of Australia has requested the 
     case be amended to include additional non-MDE MH-60R 
     sustainment items and services. This case amendment will 
     increase the total case value above the non-MDE notification 
     threshold and thus require notification of the entirety of 
     the FMS case.
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE): None.
       Non-MDE: Included are MH-60R aircraft sustainment 
     consumables and spare and repair parts; and other related 
     elements of logistical and program support.
       (iv) Military Department: Navy (AT-P-KOB).
       (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: AT-P-KOA.
       (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: None.
       (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: October 19, 2022.
       * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          POLICY JUSTIFICATION

                     Australia--MH-60R Sustainment

       The Government of Australia has requested to buy additional 
     non-MDE MH-60R sustainment items and services that will be 
     added to a previously implemented case. The original FMS 
     case, valued at $89.8 million, included MH-60R sustainment. 
     The estimated total cost is $162 million.
       This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and 
     national security objectives of the United States. Australia 
     is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. 
     The strategic location of this political and economic power 
     contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic 
     stability in the region. It is vital to the U.S. national 
     interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a 
     strong and ready self-defense capability.
       The proposed sale will continue Australia's capability to 
     interoperate with U.S. forces by maintaining alignment with 
     the U.S. Navy's MH-60R program and maintain mission readiness 
     to deter regional threats and strengthen its homeland 
     defense. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing this 
     equipment and services 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 Lockheed Martin, Owego, 
     NY. 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 Australia.

[[Page S6649]]

       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.

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