[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 117 (Monday, July 10, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2280-S2281]
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)(l) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 23-21,
concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Romania for defense articles
and services estimated to cost $105 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. 23-21
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 Romania.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment $0 million.
Other $105 million.
Total $105 million.
Funding Source: National Funds.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase: The Government of
Romania has requested to buy equipment and services to
modernize thirty-two (32) F-16 Mid-Life Update Block 10/15
aircraft to be procured through third-party transfer from
Norway. The equipment includes:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE): None.
Non-MDE: Included are KY-58M and KIV-78 cryptographic
devices; AN/PYQ-l0C Simple Key Loaders; Joint Mission
Planning Systems (JMPS); Night Vision Device (NVD) aviator
vision systems and spare Image Intensifier Tubes; Electronic
Warfare database support; Classified/Unclassified Computer
Program Identification Number Systems (CPIN) and CPIN
Electronic Combat International Security Assistance Program
(ECISAP) equipment and support; flight test services;
integration and test support and equipment; aircraft support
equipment; secure communications equipment, precision
navigation, and cryptographic devices; Classified/
Unclassified software delivery and support; spare parts,
consumables and accessories, and repair and return support;
maintenance and maintenance support; studies/surveys;
Classified/Unclassified publications and technical
documentation; U.S. Government and contractor engineering,
technical and logistics support services; and other related
elements of logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Air Force (RO-D-QAP).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: RO-D-QAN, RO-D-QAH.
(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed
to be Paid: None known at this time.
(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 30, 2023.
As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Romania--F-16 Aircraft Modernization
The Government of Romania has requested to buy equipment
and services to modernize thirty-two (32) F-16 Mid-Life
Update Block 10/15 aircraft to be procured through third-
party transfer from Norway. The equipment includes KY-58M and
KIV-78 cryptographic devices; AN/PYQ-10C Simple Key Loaders;
Joint Mission Planning Systems (JMPS); Night Vision Device
(NVD) aviator vision systems and spare Image Intensifier
Tubes; Electronic Warfare database support; Classified/
Unclassified Computer Program Identification Number Systems
(CPJN) and CPIN Electronic Combat International Security
Assistance Program (ECISAP) equipment and support; flight
test services; integration and test support and equipment;
aircraft support equipment; secure communications
[[Page S2281]]
equipment, precision navigation, and cryptographic devices;
Classified/Unclassified software delivery and support; spare
parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return
support; maintenance and maintenance support; studies/
surveys; Classified/Unclassified publications and technical
documentation; U.S. Government and contractor engineering,
technical and logistics support services; and other related
elements of logistics and program support. The estimated
total cost is $105 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 a force for
political stability and economic progress in Europe.
The proposed sale will improve Romania's capability to meet
current and future threats by bolstering its operational
readiness while enhancing air and defense capabilities with a
modernized fleet. Romania has F-16s in its inventory and will
have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft and 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 will be Lockheed Martin, Fort
Worth, TX. There are no known offset agreements proposed in
connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the
assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor
representatives to Romania.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 23-21
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(l) of the Arms Export Control Act
Annex Item No. vii
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
1. The F-16 Block 10/15 Mid Life Update (MLU) aircraft is
an advanced, single engine multi-role fighter aircraft. The
configuration and capability modifications for the F-16 MLU
aircraft include an avionics package for the Romania specific
M6.5.2 Core Operational Flight Plan (OFP) Baseline,
Communications and Identification for M6.5.2, navigation
aids, advanced cockpit, mission planning, electronic warfare
and integrated logistics supportability.
2. The KY-58 is a secure voice module primarily used to
encrypt radio communication to and from military aircraft and
other tactical vehicles.
3. The KIV-78 is a cryptographic applique for IFF, It can
be loaded with Mode 5 classified elements.
4. The AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loader is a handheld device
used for securely receiving, storing, and transferring data
between compatible cryptographic and communications
equipment.
5. The Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) is a multi-
platform, PC-based mission planning system.
6. The Hands-On Black-Out (HOBO) Night Vision Imaging
System (NVIS) is a Night Vision Device designed for use with
a F-16 NVIS-compatible cockpit.
7. The Electronic Warfare Integrated Reprogramming Database
(EWIRDB) is used by USG engineers in the reprogramming and
creation of shareable Mission Data Files for the AN/ALQ-131
electronic countermeasures pod on the F-16 aircraft. The
source product is not releasable to the customer.
8. The highest level of classification of defense articles,
components, and services included in this potential sale is
SECRET.
9. 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.
10. A determination has been made that Romania 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.
11. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal have been authorized for release and export to
the Government of Romania.
____________________