[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 10, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S69]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION

  Mr. CARDIN. Madam 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 still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous 
consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that 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)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as 
     amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 23-91, 
     concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and 
     Acceptance to the Government of Australia for defense 
     services estimated to cost $250 million. We will issue a news 
     release to notify the public of this proposed sale upon 
     delivery of this letter to your office.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Mike Miller,
                                  James A. Hursch, (for Director).
       Enclosures.


                         Transmittal No. 23-91

     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: Government of Australia.
       (ii) Total Estimated Value:
       Major Defense Equipment $0.
       Other $250 million.
       Total $250 million.
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase: The Government of 
     Australia has requested to buy services to support the 
     Tomahawk Weapon System, including the below non-Major Defense 
     Equipment (MDE):
       Major Defense Equipment: None.
       Non-MDE: General Tomahawk Weapons System support services; 
     logistics support management; material support; engineering 
     technical support; management of technical data; and other 
     related elements of logistics and program support.
       (iv) Military Department: Navy (AT-P-FBK).
       (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: (AT-P-LGJ).
       (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: None.
       (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: January 10, 2024.
       *As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          Policy Justification

   Australia--General Tomahawk Weapons System Support Services Uplift

       The Government of Australia has requested to buy services 
     to support the Tomahawk Weapon System, including general 
     weapons support services; logistics support management; 
     material support; engineering technical support; management 
     of technical data; and other related elements of logistics 
     and program support. The estimated total cost is $250 
     million.
       This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and 
     national security objectives of the United States. Australia 
     is one of our most important allies. The strategic location 
     of this political and economic power contributes 
     significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the 
     Western Pacific. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to 
     assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and 
     ready self-defense capability.
       The proposed sale will allow Australia to better utilize 
     the Tomahawk Weapon System it is procuring and ensure 
     appropriate weapon pairing is evaluated to identify defined 
     targets more precisely. It will also assist and contribute to 
     Australia's joint maritime weapon technology development, 
     analysis, and implementation; support multiple lines of 
     effort to enhance interoperability and interchangeability 
     with the United States; and uplift joint warfighting 
     operational effects.
       The proposed sale of this support will not alter the basic 
     military balance in the region.
       The principal contractor(s) will be determined as the 
     Government of Australia identifies its specific annual and 
     quarterly requirements for weapons uplift support. There are 
     no known offset agreements in connection with this potential 
     sale.
       Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the 
     assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor 
     representatives to Australia.
       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.

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