[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 209 (Tuesday, December 19, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6055-S6056]
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)(A) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), 
     as amended, we are forwarding Transmittal No. 0T-23. 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 12-39 of July 20, 
     2012.
           Sincerely,
                                                  James A. Hursch,
                                                         Director.
       Enclosure.


                         transmittal no. 0t-23

     Report of Enhancement or Upgrade of Sensitivity of Technology 
         or Capability (Sec. 36(b)(5)(A), AECA)
       (i) Purchaser: Government of Thailand.
       (ii) Sec. 36(b)(1), AECA Transmittal No.: 12-39; Date: July 
     20, 2012; Implementing Agency: Army.

[[Page S6056]]

       Funding Source: National Funds.
       (iii) Description: On July 20, 2012, Congress was notified 
     by Congressional certification transmittal number 12-39, of 
     the possible sale, under Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export 
     Control Act, of 4 UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters, 10 T700-GE-
     701D Engines (8 installed and 2 spares), warranty, support 
     equipment, spare and repair parts, personnel training and 
     training equipment, publications and technical data, U.S. 
     Government and contractor technical assistance, and other 
     related logistics support. The estimated cost was $235 
     million. Major Defense Equipment (MDE) constituted $170 
     million of this total.
       On July 28, 2017, CN 0M-16 reported the inclusion of eight 
     (8) H-764ACE Embedded Global Position System (GPS)/Inertial 
     Navigation Systems (EGI) units as MDE. Although the value of 
     the EGI was included in the total value of the case and the 
     original notification, it was not enumerated as MDE in the 
     original notification. Upgrading the status of this equipment 
     to MDE did not result in a net increase in cost of MDE. The 
     total case value remained $235 million.
       On October 17, 2018, CN 0Q-18 reported the addition of two 
     spare Embedded Global Position System (GPS)/Inertial 
     Navigation Systems (EGI) units valued at $371,970. These 
     additions did not result in an increase to the MDE cost of 
     $170 million or to the total case value of $235 million.
       On April 21, 2021, CN 21-0H reported the addition of the 
     following additional MDE items: 1) eight (8) UH-60M Black 
     Hawk helicopters in standard USG configuration with 
     designated unique equipment and Government Furnished 
     Equipment (GFE); and 2) seventeen (17) T700-GE-70lD engines 
     (includes 1 spare). The following non-MDE items were also 
     included: H-764ACE/EAGLE+429 Embedded Global Position System/
     Inertial Navigation Systems (EGIs); AN/APX-117A 
     Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders; AN/ARC-201E 
     RT-l478E (or designated replacement); MXF-4027 radios (or 
     designated replacement); Aviation Mission Planning Systems 
     (AMPS); Engine Inlet Barrier Filter (EIBF) System; External 
     Rescue Hoist (ERH); C-406 Emergency Locator Transmitter 
     (ELT); LRIP Crew Chief Gunner Seats; basic aircraft warranty; 
     CONUS and OCONUS air worthiness support; calibration 
     services; spare and repair parts; aviation and peculiar 
     ground support equipment; communication equipment; 
     publications and technical documentation; personnel and 
     equipment training; site surveys; special tools and test 
     equipment; U.S. Government and contractor technical and 
     logistics support services; and other related elements of 
     logistics and program support. The addition of these items 
     resulted in a net increase in MDE cost of $240 million, 
     resulting in a revised MDE cost of $410 million. The 
     additional non-MDE items resulted in a net increase of $100 
     million. The total estimated case value increased to $575 
     million.
       On November 21, 2022, CN 0S-22 reported the inclusion of 
     the following MDE items to replace the previously notified, 
     now unavailable/obsolete H-764ACE/EAGLE+429 EGIs: ten (10) 
     Embedded Global Position System (GPS)/Inertial Navigation 
     Systems (EGI). The estimated total value of the added MDE 
     items was $1,350,000 but did not increase the MDE cost of 
     $410 million. The estimated total case value remained $575 
     million.
       This transmittal reports the inclusion of an additional 
     eight (8) Embedded Global Position System (GPS)/Inertial 
     Navigation System (EGI)+429 with SAASM and/or M-Code (MDE). 
     The estimated total value of the added MDE items is 
     $1,350,000. These items will not increase the MDE cost of 
     $410 million. The total case value will remain $575 million.
       (iv) Significance: This notification is being provided 
     because the additional MDE items were not enumerated in the 
     original notification. The inclusion of this MDE represents 
     an increase in capability over what was previously notified. 
     The proposed sale will support Thailand's ongoing effort to 
     modernize its armed forces by updating its military 
     capabilities and improving interoperability with the United 
     States and other allies.
       (v) Justification: This proposed sale will support the 
     foreign policy and national security of the United States by 
     helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO ally 
     which is an important force for political stability and 
     economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region.
       (vi) Sensitivity of Technology:
       The Sensitivity of Technology Statement contained in the 
     previous notification applies to 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 18, 2023.

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