[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 102 (Monday, June 12, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S2046]
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. 23-27,
concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of the Netherlands 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).
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 23-27
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 the Netherlands.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $75 million.
Other $35 million
Total $110 million.
Funding Source: National Funds.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Up to eight (8) eight-cell MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems
(VLS) Baseline (B/L) VII Strike Length Launcher Modules
(either system or standalone)
Non-MDE: Also included are spare parts; handling equipment;
transportation test and support equipment; software;
engineering/technical assistance; personnel training and
training equipment; documentation, publications, and
technical data; U.S. Government and contractor technical
assistance; and other related elements of logistics and
program support.
(iv) Military Department: Navy (NE-P-LIG).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: NE-P-LFN, NE-P-LAB.
(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: June 2, 2023.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Netherlands--MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS)
The Government of the Netherlands has requested to buy up
to eight (8) eight-cell MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems
(VLS) Baseline (B/L) VII Strike Length Launcher Modules
(either system or standalone). Also included are spare parts;
handling equipment; transportation test and support
equipment; software; engineering/technical assistance;
personnel training and training equipment; documentation,
publications, and technical data; U.S. Government and
contractor technical assistance; and other related elements
of logistics and program support. The total estimated program
cost is $110 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 that is an important
force for political stability and economic progress in
Europe. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist
the Netherlands in developing and maintaining a strong and
ready self-defense capability.
The proposed sale will provide a defensive capability for
the Netherlands while enhancing interoperability with U.S.
and other allied forces. The Royal Netherlands Navy intends
to use the MK 41 VLS BIL VII strike length launcher modules
for their new ship class. These modules are intended for ESSM
BLK1 and SM-2 capabilities in support of ongoing and emergent
operational needs. The Netherlands, has previously purchased
MK 41 VLS capability and actively uses it on their current
ship classes. The Netherlands will have no difficulty
absorbing this equipment and support into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin Corporation,
Bethesda, MD. There are no known offset agreements proposed
in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of the proposed sale will not require the
assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor
representatives to the Netherlands. However, U.S. Government
or contractor personnel in-country visits will be required on
a temporary basis in conjunction with program technical
oversight and support requirements.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 23-27
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 MK 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) is a fixed,
vertical, multi-missile launching system with the capability
to store and launch multiple missile variants depending on
the warfighting mission, including the Evolved Sea Sparrow
Missile (ESSM), Standard Missile (SM), and Tomahawk Cruise
Missiles. This proposed sale would provide tactical VLS
capability for the ESSM and SM. The MK 41 VLS is a modular
below-deck configuration with each module consisting of 8
missile cells with an associated gas management and deluge
system.
2. The highest level of classification of defense articles,
components, and services included in this potential sale, is
CONFIDENTIAL.
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 the Netherlands 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 are authorized for release and export to the
Government of the Netherlands.
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