[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 103 (Tuesday, June 13, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S2063]
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. 23-46,
concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of France for defense articles
and services estimated to cost $160 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. 23-46
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(6)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended
(i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of France.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $0 million.
Other $160 million.
Total $160 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services Under Consideration for Purchase: Foreign Military
Sales (FMS) case FR-P-GWR for non-MDE E-2C Hawkeye
sustainment support was originally valued at $99.6 million,
below the congressional notification threshold. The
Government of France has requested the case be amended to
include additional non-MDE E-2C Hawkeye sustainment items and
services. This case amendment will increase the total case
value above the total non-MDE notification threshold and thus
notification of the entire FMS case is now required.
Major Defense Equipment (MDE): None.
Non-MDE: Included is an Engine Component Improvement
Program (CIP); software updates; technical publication; U.S.
Government and contractor technical and product support and
assistance; and other related elements of logistics and
program support.
(iv) Military Department: Navy (FR-P-GWR).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: FR-P-SBG, FR-P-SBI, FR-P-
SBL.
(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: June 13, 2023.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
policy justification
France--E-2C Hawkeye Sustainment Support
The Government of France has requested to buy additional
non-MDE E-2C Hawkeye sustainment items and services that will
be added to a previously implemented case. The original
Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case, valued at $99.6 million,
included E-2C Hawkeye sustainment support. Therefore, this
notification is for E-2C Hawkeye sustainment support, which
includes an Engine Component Improvement Program (CIP);
software updates; technical publications; U.S. Government,
and contractor technical and product support and assistance;
and other related elements of logistics and program support.
The estimated total cost is $160 million,
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and
national security objectives of the United States by helping
to improve the security of a NATO Ally that is an important
force for political stability and economic progress in
Europe.
The proposed sale will improve France's capability to meet
current and future threats in the European domain by
maintaining its E-2C fleet in fully mission-capable status
and sustain introperability with U.S. and NATO forces. France
will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services
into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal U.S. contractor will be Northrop Grumman,
Melbourne, FL. There are no known offset agreements proposed
in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of the proposed sale will require occasional
government personnel to visit France on a temporary basis and
one contractor personnel to be permanently assigned in France
in conjunction with program technical Oversight and support
requirements, including program and technical reviews as well
as training and maintenance support.
There will be no adverse-impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
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