[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.

                          ____________________