[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 209 (Tuesday, December 19, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S6051]
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. 23-0Y. 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 23-53 of August 1, 
     2023.
           Sincerely,
                                                  James A. Hursch,
                                                         Director.
       Enclosure.


                         Transmittal No. 23-0Y

     Report of Enhancement or Upgrade of Sensitivity of Technology 
         or Capability (Sec. 36(b)(5)(C), AECA)
       (i) Purchaser: Government of Finland.
       (ii) Sec. 36(b)(1), AECA Transmittal No.: 23-53; Date: 
     August 1, 2023; Implementing Agency: Army.
       (iii) Description: On August 1, 2023, Congress was notified 
     by Congressional certification transmittal number 23-53, of 
     the possible sale, under Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export 
     Control Act, of the M270A2 upgrade of M270A1 Multiple Launch 
     Rocket Systems (MLRS). The upgrade includes 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. Major Defense 
     Equipment (MDE) constituted $0 of this total.
       This transmittal notifies an increase in non-MDE value by 
     $180 million, resulting in a new estimated non-MDE and 
     overall total case value of $575 million. There is no MDE 
     included in this potential sale.
       (iv) Significance: Recent cost increases have brought about 
     the need to add value to the original notification. The 
     upgraded M270A2 MLRS will give Finland additional advanced 
     capability to address current and future regional threats; 
     reinforcing its ability to maintain regional stability, 
     increasing Finland's security. The sale supports U.S. 
     national security interests by bolstering the land defense in 
     Europe's northern flank.
       (v) Justification: 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.
       (vi) Sensitivity of Technology: The Sensitivity of 
     Technology statement contained in the original notification 
     applies to items reported here.
       (vii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: December 18, 2023.

                          ____________________