[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 76 (Thursday, May 4, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1531-S1532]
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. 23-28, 
     concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and 
     Acceptance to the Government of Latvia for defense articles 
     and services estimated to cost $110 million. We will issue a 
     news release to notify the public of this proposed sale upon 
     delivery of this letter to your office.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Mike Miller
                                  (For James A. Hursch, Director).
       Enclosure.


                         Transmittal No. 23-28

     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 Latvia.
       (ii) Total Estimated Value:
       Major Defense Equipment * $0 million.
       Other $110 million.
       Total $110 million.
       Funding Source: National Funds and Foreign Military 
     Financing.
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase:
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
       None.
       Non-MDE: Included is a Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defense 
     System (NSM CDS), including tactical, telemetered, and 
     training missiles; containers; mobile operational platforms; 
     integration equipment; ordnance handling equipment (OHE); 
     training equipment and aids; technical publications and data; 
     training; spares; U.S. Government and contractor technical 
     and product support or assistance; and other related elements 
     of logistical and program support.
       (iv) Military Department: Navy (LG-P-SAB).
       (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None.
       (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: None.
       (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: May 2, 2023.
       * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          POLICY JUSTIFICATION

          Latvia--Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defense System

       The Government of Latvia has requested to buy a Naval 
     Strike Missile Coastal Defense System (NSM CDS), including 
     tactical, telemetered, and training missiles; containers; 
     mobile operational platforms; integration equipment; ordnance 
     handling equipment (OHE); training equipment and aids; 
     technical publications and data; training; spares; U.S. 
     Government and contractor technical and product support or 
     assistance; and other related elements of logistical and 
     program support. The estimated total cost is $110 million.
       This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals 
     and national security objectives of the United States by 
     improving the security of a NATO ally that is an important 
     force for political stability and economic progress in 
     Europe.
       The proposed sale will improve Latvia's capability to meet 
     current and future threats in the Baltic Sea maritime domain. 
     Latvia's increased coastal defense capability and 
     interoperability with U.S. and NATO armed forces will 
     contribute to both U.S. and Latvian defense and security 
     objectives in the Baltics. Latvia 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 contractor is to be determined. There are no 
     known offset agreements proposed in connection with this 
     potential sale.

[[Page S1532]]

       Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the 
     assignment of any U.S. Government or contractor 
     representatives to Latvia.
       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.

                          ____________________