[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.
____________________