[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 186 (Thursday, December 1, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S6937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Mr. MENENDEZ. Madam 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. 22-67,
concerning the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Finland for defense articles
and services estimated to cost $380 million. We will issue a
news release to notify the public of this proposed sale upon
delivery of this letter to your office.
Sincerely,
James A. Hursch,
Director.
Enclosures.
TRANSMITTAL NO. 22-67
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 Finland.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $310 million.
Other $70 million.
Total $380 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MOE):
Three hundred fifty (350) FIM-92K Stinger Man Portable
Missiles.
Five (5) Production Verification Flight Test (PVFT) FIM-92K
Stinger Man Portable Missiles.
Non-MOE:
Also included is support equipment; production support,
engineering and technical services; transportation services;
and other related elements of program and logistics support.
(iv) Military Department: Army (FI-B-VBF).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: FI-B-VAJ, FI-B-VBA.
(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed
to be Paid: None.
(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: December 1, 2022.
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Finland--Stinger Man Portable Ground-to-Air Missiles
The Government of Finland has requested to buy three
hundred fifty (350) FIM-92K Stinger Man Portable missiles;
and five (5) Production Verification Flight Test (PVFT) FIM-
92K Stinger Man Portable missiles. Also included is support
equipment; production support, engineering and technical
services; transportation services; and other related elements
of program and logistics support. The total estimated cost is
$380 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and
national security of the United States by improving the
security of a trusted partner which is an important force for
political stability and economic progress in Europe. It is
vital to the U.S. national interest to assist Finland in
developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense
capability.
The proposed sale will improve Finland's defense and
deterrence capabilities. Finland intends to use these defense
articles and services to increase its national stock. This
critical platform will bolster the land and air defense
capabilities in Europe's northern flank, supporting the U.S.
European Command's top priorities. Finland will have no
difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractors will be Raytheon Missiles and
Defense, Tucson, AZ and Lockheed Martin Corporation,
Syracuse, NY. There are no known offset agreements in
connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the
assignment of U.S. Government or contractor representatives
to Finland.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
TRANSMITTAL NO. 22-67
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 Stinger missile is a lightweight, self-contained air
defense system that can be rapidly deployed by ground troops.
Its seeker and guidance systems enables the weapon to
acquire, track and engage a target with one shot.
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 Finland 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
the Government of Finland.
____________________