[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 175 (Monday, November 14, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6654-S6656]
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. 22-52,
concerning the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Kuwait for defense articles
and services estimated to cost $3.00 billion. 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. 22-52
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 Kuwait.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $1.75 billion.
Other $1.25 billion.
Total $3.00 billion.
Funding Source: National Funds.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase: Kuwait has
requested to buy the National Advanced Surface-To-Air Missile
System (NASAMS), Medium Range Air Defense System (MRADS)
solution comprised of:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Seven (7) AN/MPQ-64FI Sentinel Radars with Associated
Support Equipment.
Sixty-three (63) AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-
Air Missiles (AMRAAM).
Sixty-three (63) AMRAAM-Extended Range (AMRAAM-ER)
Missiles.
Two (2) AIM-120-C-8 AMRAAM Guidance Sections.
Sixty-three (63) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical
Missiles.
Six (6) AIM-9X Block II Tactical Missile Guidance Units.
Twelve (12) Multifunctional Information Distribution
Systems--Low Volume Terminal (MIDS LVT) Block Upgrade 2.
Twelve (12) MIDS LVT Cryptographic Modules (LCM).
[[Page S6655]]
Non-MDE: Also included are Fire Distribution Centers (FDC);
Canister Launcher Systems (CLS); Tactical Control Center
(TCC) Systems; FDC Indoor Training Simulator; Radar
Communication Nodes; MIDS LVT BU2 Link 16-capable radios;
IPS-250X High Assurance Internet Protocol Encryptions
(HAIPE); KIV-77 Identification Friend-or-Foe (IFF) Crypto
Applique to provide Mode 5 and Mode S capability (must be
compatible with Model 5800 IFF); AN/PSN-13 Defense Advanced
Global Positioning System (OPS) Receivers (DAGR) with
Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM); AN/PYQ-
10 Simple Key Loaders (SKL), Code Loaders and Cable Sets to
allow crypto keying capability for each IFF, OPS, and MIDS
radio; AIM-120 control sections and containers; AMRAAM and
AMRAAM-ER Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs); weapon
system support and support equipment; spare parts,
consumables, accessories and repair/return support;
classified software; classified and unclassified publications
and technical documentation; studies and surveys; Maintenance
Support Shelters, NASAMS U.S. Government and Contractor
Technical Support; Technical Assistance Support; Software
Integration Support; Construction/Facilities Requirements;
communications equipment; tool kits; test equipment; range
and test programs; support equipment; prime movers; wheeled
vehicles and organizational equipment; spare and repair
parts; generators; technical documentation; computer based
training equipment; training simulators; spare parts;
training; facility construction (radar berms, communication
towers, ammunition storage, training facilities, and
maintenance facilities); Infrastructure improvements; U.S.
Government and contractor technical support; engineering and
logistics support services; warranty services; Systems
Integration and Checkout (SICO); field office support; and
other related elements of logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Army (KU-B-UYG); Air Force (KU-D-
YAG); Navy (KU-P-ABP, KU-P-LDI); National Security Agency
(KU-M-GAR).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: KU-P-ABI, KU-P-ABO, KU-D-
YAC, KU-D-YAD.
(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: October 6, 2022.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Kuwait--National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System
(NASAMS), Medium Range Air Defense System (MRADS)
The Government of Kuwait has requested to buy the National
Advanced Surface-To-Air Missile System (NASAMS), Medium Range
Air Defense System (MRADS) solution comprised of: seven (7)
AN/MPQ-64FI Sentinel radars with associated support
equipment; sixty-three (63) AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range
Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM); sixty-three (63) AMRAAM-
Extended Range (AMRAAM-ER) missiles; two (2) AIM-120-C-8
AMRAAM Guidance Sections; sixty-three (63) AIM-9X Sidewinder
Block II tactical missiles; six (6) AIM-9X Block II tactical
missile Guidance Units; twelve (12) Multifunctional
Information Distribution Systems--Low Volume Terminal (MIDS
LVT) Block Upgrade 2; and twelve (12) MIDS LVT Cryptographic
Modules (LCM). Also included are Fire Distribution Centers
(FDC); Canister Launcher Systems (CLS); Tactical Control
Center (TCC) Systems; FDC Indoor Training Simulator; Radar
Communication Nodes; MIDS LVT BU2 Link 16-capable radios;
IPS-250X High Assurance Internet Protocol Encryptions
(HAIPE); KIV-77 Identification Friend-or-Foe (IFF) Crypto
Applique to provide Mode 5 and Mode S capability (must be
compatible with Model 5800 IFF); AN/PSN-13 Defense Advanced
Global Positioning System (OPS) Receivers (DAGR) with
Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM); AN/PYQ-
10 Simple Key Loaders (SKL), Code Loaders and Cable Sets to
allow crypto keying capability for each IFF, OPS, and MIDS
radio; AIM-120 control sections and containers; AMRAAM and
AMRAAM-ER Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs); weapon
system support and support equipment; spare parts,
consumables, accessories and repair/return support;
classified software; classified and unclassified publications
and technical documentation; studies and surveys; Maintenance
Support Shelters, NASAMS U.S. Government and Contractor
Technical Support; Technical Assistance Support; Software
Integration Support; Construction/Facilities Requirements;
communications equipment; tool kits; test equipment; range
and test programs; support equipment; prime movers; wheeled
vehicles and organizational equipment; spare and repair
parts; generators; technical documentation; computer based
training equipment; training simulators; spare parts;
training; facility construction (radar berms, communication
towers, ammunition storage, training facilities, and
maintenance facilities); Infrastructure improvements; U.S.
Government and contractor technical support; engineering and
logistics support services; warranty services; Systems
Integration and Checkout (SICO); field office support; and
other related elements of logistics and program support. The
total estimated cost is $3 billion.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and
national security objectives of the United States by helping
to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO ally that has
been an important force for political stability and economic
progress in the Middle East.
The proposed sale will improve Kuwait's capability to meet
current and future threats by enhancing the ability to defend
itself against regional malign actors and improve
interoperability with systems operated by U.S. forces and
other Gulf countries. Kuwait's continued investment in its
defensive capabilities is crucial to protecting its borders,
energy infrastructure, and its residents, including over
4,000 U.S. citizens and military personnel living and working
in the country. Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing this
capability 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 Missiles and
Defense, Tucson, AZ. The purchaser typically requests
offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations
between the purchaser and the contractor.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require the
assignment of three (3) U.S. Government and five (5)
contractor representatives to Kuwait to support delivery of
the NASAMS and provide support and equipment familiarization.
Six (6) contractors would be deployed to Kuwait for
approximately three (3) years for follow-on support of
equipment.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 22-52
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. National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS)
Medium Range Air Defense System (MRADS) Description. This is
a System of Systems (SOS) consisting of the Sentinel Radar,
the Fire Distribution Center (FDC), the AIM-120 Advanced
Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), the AIM-120
Extended Range Missile (AMRAAM-ER), and the AIM-9X Missile.
The NASAMS MRADS is designed for mid-range air defense and
can be deployed to engage fixed wing and rotary wing
aircraft, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAVs). The NASAMS MRADS is not a Program of Record (POR) for
the U.S. Department of Defense, but the SOS architecture does
consist of several PORs: the U.S. Army's AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel
radar, the U.S. Air Force's AIM-120 AMRAAM missile, and the
U.S. Navy's AIM-9X Missile. The NASAMS is comprised of both
U.S.- and Norwegian-manufactured components. Norwegian
components will be procured by the Raytheon Company.
Norwegian involvement will be managed by Raytheon using
export authorizations received from the U.S. Department of
State.
2. NASAMS Fire Unit (FU). Consists of one fire distribution
center (FDC), one AN/MPQ-64F1 surveillance, acquisition, and
tracking radar, 3 truck-mounted Canister Launchers (LCHR),
and the High Mobility Launcher (HML) with 6 AMRAAM missiles
each.
3. Fire Distribution Center (FDC). The command & control
entity, FDC, is the major operator interface in NASAMS. It
provides all command and control functionality necessary to
effectively conduct Air Defense missions; both in a stand-
alone (autonomous) configuration as well as in a netted
configuration integrated to other units. The FDC interfaces
and controls the MPQ-64F1 Sentinel radar and the Canister and
High Mobility-Launchers. The FDC also interfaces (voice and
data) to the national command and control structure.
4. AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel Radar. This is the organic mobile
Air Defense acquisition and tracking sensor for the United
States Army. Sentinel provides persistent air surveillance
and fire control quality data through command and control
systems to defeat Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), cruise
missiles, and fixed-wind and rotary-wing aircraft threats.
5. AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile
(AMRAAM). This 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. State-of-the-art technology is used in the missile
to provide it with beyond-visual-range capability. Although
designed as an air-to-air missile, the AMRAAM can also be
employed in a surface-launch mode when integrated on systems
such as NASAMS.
a. The AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM-Extended Range (ER) has the same
capability as the AMRAAM, but with a larger rocket motor and
control section to allow it to travel further.
b. The potential sale will include Captive Air Training
Missiles (CATM) and AMRAAM Guidance Sections.
6. Canister Launcher (CLS). Purpose is to transport, aim,
and fire the U.S. Air Force AMRAAM, AMRAAM-ER, and the US
Navy AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles. Under the remote control of
the Fire Distribution Center (FDC), the launcher permits
rapid launching of one or more missiles against single or
multiple targets and can support 6 engagements
simultaneously. The launcher provides 360-degree, all
weather, day and night, missile launch capability.
[[Page S6656]]
7. AIM 9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missiles. The
missile includes a high off-boresight seeker, enhanced
countermeasure rejection capability, low drag/high angle of
attack airframe and the ability to integrate the Helmet
Mounted Cueing System.
8. Multifunction Information Distribution System--Low
Volume Terminal Block Upgrade 2 (MIDS LVT BU2). The MIDS LVT
BU2 is a secure data and voice communication network using
the Link-16 architecture; the MIDS LVT Cryptographic Modules
(LCM) are the Communications Security (COMSEC) portion of the
MIDS LVT BU2 system. The system provides enhanced situational
awareness, positive identification of participants within the
network, and secure voice capability. The system provides the
critical ground link for simultaneous coordination of air,
land, and maritime forces.
9. The highest level of classification of defense articles,
components, and services included in this potential sale is
SECRET.
10. 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.
11. A determination has been made that the Government of
Kuwait 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.
12. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal have been authorized for release and export to
the Government of Kuwait.
____________________