[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 10, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S70-S71]
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 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)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 22-58,
concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Egypt for defense articles
and services estimated to cost $129 million. We will issue a
news release to notify the public of this proposed sale upon
delivery of this letter to your office.
Sincerely,
James A. Hursch,
Director.
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 22-58
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 Egypt.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $0 million.
Other $129 million.
Total $129 million.
Funding Source: Foreign Military Financing (FMF).
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase: Foreign Military
Sales case EG-P-LFY was below congressional notification
threshold at $49 million for non-Major Defense Equipment
(MDE) 28-meter patrol craft production kits. The Government
of Egypt requested that the case be amended to include
additional 28-meter patrol craft production kits. This case
amendment will increase the total case value above the non-
MDE notification threshold, and thus notification of the
entire case is required.
Major Defense Equipment: None.
Non-MDE: Included are 28-meter patrol craft production kits
consisting of Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats, forward-looking
infrared systems, and computer packages; technical and
logistics support services; transportation; spare parts,
materials, equipment, and components; and other related
elements of logistical and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Navy (EG-P-LFY).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None.
(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed
to be Paid: None.
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense
Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Attached
Annex.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: January 10, 2024.
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Egypt--28-Meter Patrol Craft Kits
The Government of Egypt has requested to buy additional
non-Major Defense Equipment (MDE) 28-meter patrol craft
production kits and technical support. The kits consist of
Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats, forward-looking infrared
systems, and computer packages; technical and logistics
support services; transportation; spare parts, materials,
equipment, and components; and other related elements of
logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is
$129 million.
This proposed sale will support U.S. foreign policy and
national security objectives by helping to improve the
security of a Major Non-NATO Ally that continues to be an
important force for political stability and economic growth
in the Middle East.
The proposed sale will improve Egypt's capacity to sustain
security operations and strengthen its internal and external
defense capabilities. The proposed sale will assist the
Government of Egypt's maritime patrol and interdiction
efforts to contribute to regional maritime security efforts
in the Mediterranean and Red Sea. Egypt will have no
difficulty absorbing this equipment and services into its
armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor will be Swiftships, of Morgan
City, LA. There are no known offset agreements proposed in
connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple
trips to Egypt involving one (1) U.S. Government
representative and three (3) contractor representatives for
approximately three (3) years for program management, program
and technical reviews, training, maintenance support, and
site surveys.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 22-58
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act
Annex Item No. vii
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
1. The 28-meter patrol craft production kits consist of
Rigid Inflatable Boats, materials, equipment, and components
for 28-meter patrol craft. Technical support is also
included.
2. The highest level of classification of defense articles,
components, and services included in this potential sale is
UNCLASSIFIED.
3. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain
knowledge of the hardware
[[Page S71]]
and software elements, the information could be used to
develop countermeasures or equivalent systems which might
reduce system effectiveness or be used in the development of
a system with similar or advanced capabilities.
4. A determination has been made that the Government of
Egypt can provide substantially the same degree of protection
for the sensitive technology being released as the U.S.
Government. This sale is necessary in furtherance of the U.S.
foreign policy and national security objectives outlined in
the Policy Justification.
5. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal are authorized for release and export to the
Government of Egypt.
____________________