[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 19 (Thursday, February 1, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S335-S337]
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

[[Page S336]]

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 
an 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)(l) of the Arms Export Control Act, as 
     amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 23-01, 
     concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and 
     Acceptance to the Government of Greece for defense articles 
     and services estimated to cost $8.6 bi11ion. 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. 23-01

     Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to 
         Section 36(b)(l) of the Arms Export Control Act, as 
         amended
       (i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Greece.
       (ii) Total Estimated Value: Major Defense Equipment* $6.0 
     billion
       Other $2.6 billion
       TOTAL $8.6 billion
       Funding Source: National Funds
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase:
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
       Forty (40) F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Conventional Take Off 
     and Landing (CTOL) Aircraft
       Forty-two
       (42) Pratt & Whitney Fl35-PW-l00 Engines (40 installed, 2 
     spares).
       Non-MDE: Also included are AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders; 
     KGV-135A embedded secure communications devices; Cartridge 
     Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD); 
     impulse cartridges, chaff, and flares; Full Mission 
     Simulators and system trainers; electronic warfare systems 
     and Reprogramming Lab support; logistics management and 
     support systems; threat detection, tracking, and targeting 
     systems; Contractor Logistics Support (CLS); classified 
     software and software development, delivery and integration 
     support; transportation, ferry, and refueling support; 
     weapons containers; aircraft and munitions support and 
     support equipment; integration and test support and 
     equipment; aircraft engine component improvement program 
     (CIP) support; secure communications, precision navigation, 
     and cryptographic systems and equipment; Identification 
     Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment; spare and repair parts, 
     consumables, and accessories, and repair and return support; 
     minor modifications, maintenance, and maintenance support; 
     personnel training and training equipment; classified and 
     unclassified publications and technical documents; 
     warranties; and U.S. Government and engineering, technical, 
     and logistics support services, studies, and surveys; and 
     other related elements of logistics and program support.
       (iv) Military Department: Air Force (GR-D-SAD).
       (v) Prior Related Cases. if any: None.
       (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed 
     to be Paid: None known at this time.
       (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 26, 2024.
       *As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          policy justification

                          Greece F-35 Aircraft

       The Government of Greece has requested to buy up to forty 
     (40) F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Conventional Take Off and 
     Landing (CTOL) aircraft; and forty-two (42) Pratt & Whitney 
     Fl35-PW-100 engines (40 installed, 2 spares). Also included 
     are AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders; KGV-135A embedded secure 
     communications devices; Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant 
     Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD); impulse cartridges, chaff, and 
     flares; Full Mission Simulators and system trainers; 
     electronic warfare systems and Reprogramming Lab support; 
     logistics management and support systems; threat detection, 
     tracking, and targeting systems; Contractor Logistics Support 
     (CLS); classified software and software development, delivery 
     and integration support; transportation, ferry, and refueling 
     support; weapons containers; aircraft and munitions support 
     and support equipment; integration and test support and 
     equipment; aircraft engine component improvement program 
     (CIP) support; secure communications, precision navigation, 
     and cryptographic systems and equipment; Identification 
     Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment; spare and repair parts, 
     consumables, and accessories, and repair and return support; 
     minor modifications, maintenance, and maintenance support; 
     personnel training and training equipment; classified and 
     unclassified publications and technical documents; 
     warranties; and U.S. Government and engineering, technical, 
     and logistics support services, studies, and surveys; and 
     other related elements of logistics and program support. The 
     estimated total cost is $8.6 billion.
       This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals 
     and national security of the United by improving the air 
     capabilities and interoperability of a NATO Ally that is a 
     force for political and economic stability in Europe.
       The proposed sale will allow Greece to modernize its air 
     force and improve Greece's ability to provide for the defense 
     of its airspace, contribute to NATO missions to preserve 
     regional security and defend NATO Allies, and maintain 
     interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces. The F-35 will 
     offset the increasing obsolescence of other Hellenic Air 
     Force aircraft such as the F-4 and Mirage 2000. Greece will 
     have no difficulty absorbing these articles 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 contractors will be Lockheed Martin 
     Aeronautics Company, Fort Worth, TX, and Pratt & Whitney 
     Military Engines, East Hartford, CT. The purchaser typically 
     requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in 
     negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.
       Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the 
     assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor 
     representatives to Greece.
       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.


                         transmittal no. 23-01

     Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to 
         Section 36(b)(l) of the Arms Export Control Act

                           Annex Item No. vii

       (vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
       1. The F-35A Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) 
     aircraft is a single seat, single engine, all-weather, 
     stealth, fifth-generation, multirole aircraft. It contains 
     sensitive technology including the low observable airframe/
     outer mold line, the Pratt and Whitney F135 engine, AN/APG-81 
     radar, an integrated core processor central computer, a 
     mission systems/electronic warfare suite, a multiple sensor 
     suite, technical data/documentation, and associated software.
       a. The Pratt and Whitney Fl35 engine is a single 40,000-lb 
     thrust class engine designed for the F-35 and assures highly 
     reliable, affordable performance. The engine is designed to 
     be utilized in all F-35 variants, providing unmatched 
     commonality and supportability throughout the worldwide base 
     of F-35 users.
       b. The AN/APG-81 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) 
     is a high processing power/high transmission power electronic 
     array capable of detecting air and ground targets from a 
     greater distance than mechanically scanned array radars. It 
     also contains a synthetic aperture radar (SAR), which creates 
     high-resolution ground maps, provides weather data to the 
     pilot, and provides air and ground tracks to the mission 
     system, which uses it as a component to fuse sensor data.
       c. The Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) provides 
     long-range detection and tracking as well as an infrared 
     search and track (IRST) and forward-looking infrared (FLIR) 
     capability for precision tracking, weapons delivery, and bomb 
     damage assessment (BDA). The EOTS replaces multiple separate 
     internal or podded systems typically found on legacy 
     aircraft.
       d. The Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System (EODAS) 
     provides the pilot with full spherical coverage for air-to-
     air and air-to-ground threat awareness, day/night vision 
     enhancements, a fire control capability and precision 
     tracking of wingmen/friendly aircraft. The EODAS provides 
     data directly to the pilot's helmet as well as the mission 
     system.
       e. The F-35 Electronic Warfare (EW) system is a 
     reprogrammable, integrated system that provides radar warning 
     and electronic support measures (ESM) along with a fully 
     integrated countermeasures (CM) system. The EW system is the 
     primary subsystem used to enhance situational awareness, 
     targeting support and self-defense through the search, 
     intercept, location, and identification of in-band emitters 
     and to automatically counter IR and RF threats.
       f. The F-35 Command, Control, Communications, Computers and 
     Intelligence/ Communications, Navigation, and Identification 
     (C4I/CNI) system provides the pilot with unmatched 
     connectivity to flight members, coalition forces and the 
     battlefield. It is an integrated subsystem designed to 
     provide a broad spectrum of secure, anti-jam voice and data 
     communications, precision radio navigation and landing 
     capability, self-identification, beyond visual range target 
     identification, and connectivity to off-board

[[Page S337]]

     sources of information. It also includes an inertial 
     navigation and global positioning system (OPS) for precise 
     location information. The functionality is tightly integrated 
     within the mission system to enhance efficiency.
       g. The F-35 C4I/CNI system includes two data links: the 
     Multi-Function Advanced Data Link (MADL) and Link 16. The 
     MADL is designed specifically for the F-35 and allows for 
     stealthy communications among F-35s. Link-6 is an advanced 
     command, control, communications, and intelligence (C3I) 
     system incorporating jam-resistant, digital communication 
     links for exchange of near real-time tactical information, 
     including both data and voice, among air, ground, and sea 
     elements. It provides the warfighter key theater functions 
     such as surveillance, identification, air control, weapons 
     engagement coordination, and direction for all services and 
     allied forces. Link-16 equipment allows the F-35 to 
     communicate with legacy aircraft using widely-distributed J-
     series message protocols.
       h. The F-35 Autonomic Logistics Global Sustainment (ALGS) 
     provides a fully integrated logistics management solution. 
     ALGS integrates a number of functional areas, including 
     supply chain management, repair, support equipment, engine 
     support, and training. The ALGS infrastructure employs a 
     state-of-the-art information system that provides real-time, 
     decision-worthy information for sustainment decisions by 
     flight line personnel. Prognostic health monitoring 
     technology is integrated with the air system and is crucial 
     to predictive maintenance of vital components.
       i. The F-35 Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) 
     provides an intelligent information infrastructure that binds 
     all the key concepts of ALGS into an effective support 
     system. ALIS establishes the appropriate interfaces among the 
     F-35 Air Vehicle, the warfighter, the training system, 
     government information technology (IT) systems, and 
     supporting commercial enterprise systems. Additionally, ALIS 
     provides a comprehensive tool for data collection and 
     analysis, decision support, and action tracking.
       j. The F-35 Training System includes several training 
     devices to provide integrated training for pilots and 
     maintainers. The pilot training devices include a Full 
     Mission Simulator (FMS) and Deployable Mission Rehearsal 
     Trainer (DMRT). The maintenance training devices include an 
     Aircraft Systems Maintenance Trainer (ASMT), Ejection System 
     Maintenance Trainer (ESMT), Outer Mold Line (OML) Lab, 
     Flexible Linear Shaped Charge (FLSC) Trainer, Fl35 Engine 
     Module Trainer and Weapons Loading Trainer (WLT). The F-35 
     Training System can be integrated so both pilots and 
     maintainers learn in the same Integrated Training Center 
     (ITC). Alternatively, the pilots and maintainers can train in 
     separate facilities (Pilot Training Center and Maintenance 
     Training Center).
       k. Other subsystems, features, and capabilities include the 
     F-35's low observable air frame, Integrated Core Processor 
     (ICP) Central Computer, Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS), 
     Pilot Life Support System (PLSS), Off-Board Mission Support 
     (OMS) System, and publications/ maintenance manuals. The HMDS 
     provides a fully sunlight readable, biocular display 
     presentation of aircraft information projected onto the 
     pilot's helmet visor. The use of a night vision camera 
     integrated into the helmet eliminates the need for separate 
     Night Vision Goggles. The PLSS provides a measure of Pilot 
     Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Protection through use 
     of an On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS); and an 
     escape system that provides additional protection to the 
     pilot. OBOGS takes the Power and Thermal Management System 
     (PTMS) air and enriches it by removing gases (mainly 
     nitrogen) by adsorption, thereby increasing the concentration 
     of oxygen in the product gas and supplying breathable air to 
     the pilot. The OMS provides a mission planning, mission 
     briefing, and a maintenance/intelligence/tactical debriefing 
     platform for the F-35.
       2. The Electronic Warfare Reprogramming Lab is used by U.S. 
     Government engineers in the reprogramming and creation of 
     shareable Mission Data Files for foreign F-35 customers.
       3. The AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loader is a portable, hand-held 
     device used for securely receiving, storing, and transferring 
     data between compatible cryptographic and communications 
     equipment.
       4. The KGV-l35A is a high-speed, general purpose encryptor/
     decryptor module used for wide-band data encryption.
       5. The highest level of classification of defense articles, 
     components, and services included in this potential sale is 
     SECRET.
       6. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain 
     knowledge of the specific hardware and software elements, the 
     information could be used to develop countermeasures that 
     might reduce weapon system effectiveness or be used in the 
     development of a system with similar or advanced 
     capabilities.
       7. A determination has been made that Greece 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.
       8. All defense articles and services listed in this 
     transmittal have been authorized for release and export to 
     Greece.


  Certification Pursuant TO 620C(d) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 
                            1961, as Amended

       Pursuant to Section 620C(d) of the Foreign Assistance Act 
     of 1961, as amended (the Act), Executive Order 12163, State 
     Department Delegation of Authority No. 293-2, and State 
     Department Delegation of Authority 510; I hereby certify that 
     the furnishing to Greece of F-35 aircraft and related defense 
     articles and services is consistent with the principles 
     contained in Section 620C(b) of the Act.
       This certification will be made part of the notification to 
     Congress under Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act, 
     as amended, regarding the proposed sale of the above-named 
     articles and services and is based on the justification 
     accompanying such notification, of which such justification 
     constitutes a full explanation.

                          ____________________