[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 202 (Thursday, December 7, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5846-S5847]
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,
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. 23-0X. 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 20-57 of September 2,
2020.
Sincerely
James A. Hursch,
Director.
Enclosure.
Transmittal No. 23-0X
Report of Enhancement or Upgrade of Sensitivity of Technology
or Capability (Sec. 36(b)(5)(C), AECA)
(i) Purchaser: Government of Spain.
(ii) Sec. 36(b)(1), AECA Transmittal No.: 20-57; Date:
September 2, 2020; Implementing Agency: Air Force.
(iii) Description: On September 2, 2020, Congress was
notified by Congressional certification transmittal number
20-57, of the possible sale under Section 36(b)(1) of the
Arms Export Control Act, of one hundred (100) AIM-120C-7/8
Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and one
(1) AMRAAM Guidance Section (spare). Also included were KGV-
135A encryption devices; containers; weapon support and
support equipment; spare and repair parts; publications and
technical documentation; U.S. Government and contractor
engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and
other related elements of logistical and program support. The
estimated total cost was $248.5 million. Major Defense
Equipment (MOE) constituted $237.0 million of this total.
This transmittal notifies the addition of the following MOE
items: six hundred fifty-five (655) AIM-120 C-8 Advanced
Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) or AIM-120 C-8
AMRAAM Extended Range Missiles (AMRAAM-ER); four (4) AIM-
120C-8 AMRAAM Instrumented Test Vehicles (ITV); and thirteen
(13) AIM-120 C-8 AMRAAM Guidance Sections (AMRAAM GS). Also
included are AIM-120 Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM) and
spare control sections; Common Munitions Built-in-Test (BIT)/
Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE); classified software delivery
and support; transportation support; and studies and surveys.
The estimated total value of the new items is $1.6835
billion. The estimated MOE value will increase by $1.5485
billion to a revised $1.7855 billion. The estimated non-MOE
value will increase by $0.135 billion to a revised $0.1465
billion. The estimated total case value will increase to
$1.932 billion.
(iv) Significance: This notification is being provided as
the additional MOE items were not enumerated in the original
notification. The inclusion of this MOE represents an
increase in capability over what was previously notified. The
proposed sale will improve Spain's capability to meet current
and future threats by increasing its stocks of AMRAAMs for
its fighter aircraft fleets and air defense in support of its
national defense, and will further strengthen
interoperability with the United States.
(v) Justification: This proposed sale will support the
foreign policy and national security objectives of the United
States by supporting the security and defense needs of a NATO
Ally which is an important force for political stability and
economic progress in Europe.
(vi) Sensitivity of Technology:
The Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile-Extended Range
(AMRAAM-ER) variant utilizes an AIM-120C-7 or C-8 seeker and
warhead joined with a new control section and rocket rotor
(for surface launch mode applications). This provides
extended range and altitude as well as higher speed and
maneuverability. Common Munitions Built-in-Test (BIT)/
Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE) is support equipment.
The Instrumented Test Vehicle (ITV) is a captive carry test
vehicle used primarily for flight test integration. The ITV
verifies and assesses the aircraft's ability to safely
support an AMRAAM launch through the aircraft interface
mechanism and the aircraft datalink antenna.
The Sensitivity of Technology Statement contained in the
original notification applies to additional items reported
here.
[[Page S5847]]
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.
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