[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 142 (Tuesday, September 5, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3884-S3885]
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. 23-53, 
     concerning the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and 
     Acceptance to the Government of Finland for defense articles 
     and services estimated to cost $395 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.
       Enclosure.


                         Transmittal No. 23-53

     Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to 
         Section 36(b)(l) of the Arms Export Control Act, as 
         amended
       (i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Finland.
       (ii) Total Estimated Value:
       Major Defense Equipment * $0.
       Other $395 million.
       Total $395 million.
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase:
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE): None.
       Non-MDE: Upgrade M270Al Multiple Launch Rocket Systems 
     (MLRS) to M270A2

[[Page S3885]]

     configuration. The upgrade will include: intercom systems; 
     radio communication mounts; machine gun mounts; battle 
     management system vehicle integration kits; publications for 
     MLRS; spares; services; support equipment; and other related 
     elements of logistics and program support.
       (iv) Military Department: Army (FI-B-VBI).
       (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: FI-B-VBX.
       (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: August 1, 2023.
       * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          POLICY JUSTIFICATION

      Finland M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Upgrade

       The Government of Finland has requested to buy the M270A2 
     upgrade for its M270Al Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS). 
     The upgrade will include: intercom systems; radio 
     communication mounts; machine gun mounts; battle management 
     system vehicle integration kit; publications for MLRS; 
     spares; services; support equipment; and other related 
     elements of program and logistics support. The estimated 
     total cost is $395 million.
       This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and 
     national security of the United States by improving the 
     security of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ally 
     that is an important force for political stability and 
     economic progress in Europe.
       The proposed sale will improve Finland's capability to meet 
     current and future threats, and will enhance interoperability 
     with U.S. forces and other allied forces. Finland will have 
     no difficulty absorbing this upgrade into its armed forces.
       The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not 
     alter the basic military balance in the region.
       The principal contractors will be Lockheed Martin Inc., 
     Grand Prairie, TX; Chelton Inc., Marlow, United Kingdom; 
     Leonardo DRS, Arlington, VA; and Loc Performance Products, 
     Inc., Plymouth, MI. There are-no known offset agreements in 
     connection with this potential sale.
       Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the 
     assignment of U.S. Government or contractor representatives 
     to Finland.
       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.


                         Transmittal No. 23-53

     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 M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) is a full 
     spectrum, combat proven all-weather, lethal, and responsive, 
     tracked precision strike weapons system assigned to Field 
     Artillery Brigades (FABs) supporting Brigade Combat Teams 
     (BCTs). All variants of the M270 consists of a modified 
     M993Al Bradley Carrier mounted with the M269 Launcher Loader 
     Module (LLM). The M270A2 fires all current MLRS and Guided 
     MLRS (GMLRS) rockets and all Army Tactical Missile System 
     (ATACMS) variants. The M270A2 is air transportable by C-5 and 
     C-17 aircraft. Recent upgrades include the Driver Vision 
     Enhancer, Blue Force Tracker, and long-range communications 
     modifications. The M270A2 houses an Improved Armored Cab 
     (IAC) for enhanced crew survivability. The M270A2 
     incorporates the Common Fire Control System (CFCS) and the 
     Improved Launcher Mechanical System (ILMS) modifications.
       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 the Government of 
     Finland can provide 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 Finland.

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