[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 202 (Thursday, December 7, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5844-S5845]
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:
[[Page S5845]]
Defense Security
Cooperation Agency,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Benjamin L. Cardin,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to the reporting requirements
of Section 36(b)(5)(C) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA),
as amended, we are forwarding Transmittal No. 23-0U. This
notification relates to enhancements or upgrades from the
level of sensitivity of technology or capability described in
the Section 36(b)(1) AECA certification 14-12 of May 13,
2014.
Sincerely,
James A. Hursch,
Director.
Enclosure.
Transmittal No. 23-0U
Report of Enhancement or Upgrade of Sensitivity of Technology
or Capability (Sec. 36(B)(5)(C), AECA)
(i) Purchaser: Government of Australia.
(ii) Sec. 36(b)(1), AECA Transmittal No.: 14-12, Date: May
13, 2014; Military Department: Navy.
(iii) Description: On May 13, 2014, Congress was notified
by Congressional certification transmittal number 14-12, of
the possible sale, under Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export
Control Act of up to 350 AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Tactical
Missiles; 35 AIM-9X Special Air Training Missiles (NATM); 95
AIM-9X-2 Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); 22 AIM-9X-2
Tactical Guidance Units; 19 CATM-9X-2 Guidance Units; and 3
DATM- 9X. Also included were containers, test sets and
support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and
technical documents, personnel training and training
equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical
assistance, and other related elements of logistics and
program support. The estimated total cost was $534 million.
Major Defense Equipment (MDE) constituted $476 million of
this total.
On January 9, 2018, Congress was notified by Congressional
certification transmittal number 0W-17 of the change from 350
AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Tactical Missiles to reflect 300 AIM-9X
Sidewinder Block II+ Tactical Missiles and 50 AIM-9X-2
Sidewinder Tactical Missiles. Additionally, this transmittal
reported the inclusion of 11 CATM-9X-2 Missile Guidance
Units. The total notified cost of MDE remained $476 million.
The total notified case value remained $534 million.
On December 4, 2020, Congress was notified by Congressional
certification transmittal number 0A-21 of the addition of
four (4) AIM-9X Block II+ Tactical Missile Guidance Units.
The total MDE value increase by $1 million to $477 million.
The estimated total case value remained $534 million.
This transmittal notifies inclusion of the following MDE:
an additional ten (10) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Tactical
Guidance Units; thirty-two (32) AIM-9X Block II+ Sidewinder
Tactical Guidance Units; and ninety (90) AIM-9X Block II
Sidewinder CATM Guidance Units. The estimated total value of
the new items is $28 million. The net cost of MDE will
increase by $28 million, resulting in a revised MDE value of
$505 million. The estimated total case value will remain $534
million.
(iv) Significance: The proposed sale will improve
Australia's capability to effectively maintain its current
force projection and enhance interoperability with U.S.
forces.
(v) Justification: This proposed sale will support the
foreign policy and national security objectives of the United
States. Australia is one of our most important allies in the
Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and
economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace
and economic stability in the region. It is vital to the U.S.
national interest to assist our ally in developing and
maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.
(vi) Sensitivity of Technology:
The AIM-9X Block II and Block II+ (Plus) SIDEWINDER Missile
represents a substantial increase in missile acquisition and
kinematics performance over the AIM-9M and replaces the AIM-
9X Block I Missile configuration. The missile includes a high
off-boresight seeker, enhanced countermeasure rejection
capability, low drag/high angle of attack airframe, and the
ability to integrate the Helmet Mounted Cueing System. The
most current AIM-9X Block II/II+ Operational Flight Software
developed for all international partner countries, which is
authorized by U.S. Government export policy, provides fifth-
generation infrared missile capabilities such as lock-on-
after-launch, weapons data link, surface attack, and surface
launch. No software source code or algorithms will be
released.
The Sensitivity of Technology Statement contained in the
original notification applies to additional items reported
here.
The highest level of classification of defense articles,
components, and services included in this potential sale is
SECRET.
(vii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: December 5, 2023.
____________________