[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 175 (Monday, November 14, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6650-S6651]
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:

     Hon. Robert Menendez,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman, Pursuant to the reporting of Section 
     26(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended, we are 
     forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 22-63, concerning the Air 
     Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the 
     Government of Belgium for defense articles and services 
     estimated to cost $380 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. H. Hursch,
                                                         Director.
       Enclosures.


                         Transmittal No. 22-63

     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 Belgium.
       (ii) Total Estimated Value:
       Major Defense Equipment * $358 million.
       Other $22 million.
       Total $380 million.
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase:
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
       Up to one hundred twenty (120) AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium 
     Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM).
       Ten (10) AMRAAM C-8 Guidance Sections.
       Non-MDE: Also included are spare AIM-120 control sections 
     and containers; AIM-120C Captive Air Training Missiles 
     (CATM); other spare parts, consumables, accessories, and 
     repair/return support; classified software; books, technical 
     documentation, and other publications; training and training 
     equipment; munitions support and support equipment; and other 
     related elements of logistical and program support.
       (iv) Military Department: Air Force (BE-D-YCG).

[[Page S6651]]

       (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: N/A.
       (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: November 8, 2022.
       * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          POLICY JUSTIFICATION

 Belgium--Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles for F-16 and F-35 
                                Programs

       The Government of Belgium has requested to buy up to one 
     hundred twenty (120) AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-
     Air Missiles (AMRAAM); and ten (10) AMRAAM C-8 Guidance 
     Sections. Also included are spare AIM-120 control sections 
     and containers; AIM-120C Captive Air Training Missiles 
     (CATM); other spare parts, consumables, accessories, and 
     repair/return support; classified software; books, technical 
     documentation, and other publications; training and training 
     equipment; munitions support and support equipment; and other 
     related elements of logistical and program support. The 
     estimated total cost is $380 million.
       This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and 
     national security objectives of the United States by 
     improving the security of a NATO Ally which is an important 
     force for political stability and economic progress in 
     Europe.
       The proposed sale will improve Belgium's capability to meet 
     current and future threats by maintaining its F-16 and F-35 
     fleets in combat-ready status and providing a credible 
     deterrent to regional threats. Belgium will have no 
     difficulty absorbing these articles 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 Raytheon Missile Systems, 
     Tucson, AZ. 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 Belgium.
       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.


                         Transmittal No. 22-63

     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 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile 
     (AMRAAM) is a supersonic, air launched, aerial intercept, 
     guided missile 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. This potential sale will include Captive Air 
     Training Missiles (CATM) as well as AMRAAM guidance section 
     and control section spares.
       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 Belgium can provide 
     substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive 
     technology being released as the U.S. Government. This 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 
     Belgium.

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