[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1130-S1131]
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. 21-57
concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Morocco for defense articles
and services estimated to cost $250 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 21-57
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 Morocco.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $100 million.
Other $150 million.
Total $250 million.
Funding Source: National Funds.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Forty (40) AGM-154C Joint Stand Off Weapons (JSOW).
Non-MDE: Also included are Dummy Air Training Missiles;
Captive Flight Vehicles (CFVs); Free Flight Vehicles (FFVs);
containers; mission planning, integration support, and
testing; munitions storage security and training; weapon
operational flight program software development;
transportation, tools and test equipment; support equipment;
spare and repair parts; publications and technical
documentation; personnel training and training equipment;
U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics
support services; and other related elements of logistical
and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Navy (MO-P-AAM).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: Navy (MO-P-LBI, MO-P-AAL),
Air Force (MO-D-SAH).
(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: April 11, 2023.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Morocco--Joint Stand Off Weapons (JSOW)
The Government of Morocco has requested to buy forty (40)
AGM-154C Joint Stand Off Weapons (JSOW). Also included are
Dummy Air Training Missiles; Captive Flight Vehicles (CFVs);
Free Flight Vehicles (FFVs); containers; mission planning,
integration support, and testing; munitions storage security
and training; weapon operational flight program software
development; transportation, tools and test equipment;
support equipment; spare and repair parts; publications and
technical documentation; personnel training and training
equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering and
logistics support services; and other related elements of
logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is
$250 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and
national security of the United States by helping to improve
the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally that continues to be an
important force for political stability and economic progress
in North Africa.
The proposed sale will improve Morocco's capability to meet
current and future threats. Morocco intends to use the
missiles on its F-16, multi-role fighter aircraft and will
provide enhanced capabilities in effective defense of
critical sea lanes. The proposed sale of these missiles and
support will increase the Royal Moroccan Air Force's maritime
partnership potential and align its capabilities with
existing regional baselines. Morocco will have no difficulty
absorbing these weapons 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 &
Defense Company, Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset
agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require annual
trips to Morocco involving U.S. Government and contractor
representatives for technical reviews, support, and oversight
for approximately seven (7) years.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 21-57
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 AGM-154 Joint Stand Off Weapon (JSOW) is used by
Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, and allows aircraft to
attack well-defended targets in day, night, and adverse
weather conditions. The AGM-154C carries a BROACH warhead.
The BROACH warhead incorporates an advanced multi-stage
warhead.
[[Page S1131]]
The JSOW uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) Precise
Positioning System (PPS), which provides for a more accurate
capability than the commercial version of GPS.
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 Morocco 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 Morocco.
____________________