[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 190 (Wednesday, November 15, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5535-S5536]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Mr. CARDIN. 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. Benjamin L. Cardin,
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. 23-78,
concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Republic of Korea for defense articles and
services estimated to cost $650 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. 23-78
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: Republic of Korea (ROK).
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $385 million.
Other $265 million.
Total $650 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Up to thirty-eight (38) Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) Block I
Missiles
Non-MDE: Also included are MK 21 Vertical Launch System
(VLS) canisters; obsolescence Engineering, Integration, and
Test (EI&T) materiel and support; handling equipment; spares;
training and training equipment and aids; technical
publications and data; U.S. Government and contractor
engineering and technical assistance, including related
studies and analysis support; product support; materiel and
support for demonstration and interoperability live fire
events; and other related elements of logistics and program
support.
(iv) Military Department: Navy (KS-P-ANP).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: KS-P-AMO; KS-P-AMR; KS-P-
ALM.
(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed
to be Paid: None known.
(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: November 14,
2023.
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
Policy Justification
Republic of Korea (ROK)--Standard Missile 6 Block I (SM-6 Blk I)
The Government of the Republic of Korea has requested to
buy up to thirty-eight (38) Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) Block I
missiles. Also included are MK 21 Vertical Launch System
(VLS) canisters; obsolescence Engineering, Integration, and
Test (EI&T) materiel and support; handling equipment; spares;
training and training equipment and aids; technical
publications and data; U.S. Government and contractor
engineering and technical assistance, including related
studies and analysis support; product support; materiel and
support for demonstration and interoperability live fire
events; and other related elements of logistics and program
support. The estimated total program cost is $650 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals
and national security objectives of the United States by
improving the security of a major ally that is a force for
political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific
region.
[[Page S5536]]
The proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea's
capability to meet current and future threats while further
enhancing interoperability with the United States and other
allies. Korea will have no difficulty absorbing these
articles 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 Raytheon Missiles and
Defense (RMD), Tucson, AZ. There are no known offset
agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of the proposed sale will require U.S.
Government and contractor personnel to visit the Republic of
Korea on a temporary basis in conjunction with program
technical oversight and support requirements, including
program and technical reviews, as well as to provide training
and maintenance support in country.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 23-78
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 Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) is a Navy surface-to-air
missile that provides area and ship self-defense. The missile
is intended to project power and contribute to raid
annihilation by destroying manned fixed and rotary wing
aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Land Attack Cruise
Missiles, and Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles in flight. It was
designed to fulfill the need for a vertically launched,
extended range missile compatible with the AEGIS Weapon
System to be used against extended range threats at sea, near
land, and overland. The SM-6 combines the tested legacy of
Standard Missile 2 (SM-2) propulsion and ordnance with an
active radio frequency seeker allowing for over-the-horizon
engagements, enhanced capability at extended ranges, and
increased firepower.
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 Republic of Korea
(ROK) 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 have been authorized for release and export to
the ROK.
____________________