[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.
____________________