[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 6, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S418]
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 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)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 23-73,
concerning the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of the Netherlands for defense
articles and services estimated to cost $150 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. 23-73
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 the Netherlands.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $140 million.
Other $10 million.
Total $150 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE): Up to three hundred eighty-
six (386) Hellfire Air-to-Ground Missiles, AGM-114R2.
Non-MDE: Also included is U.S. Army Aviation and Missile
Command (AMCOM) Security Assistance Management Directorate
(SAMD) technical assistance; Tactical Aviation and Ground
Munitions (TAGM) Project Office technical assistance; non-
standard books, publications, and other Hellfire
publications; integration support; and other related elements
of logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Army (NE-B-YAY, NE-B-YAZ).
(v) Prior Related Cases. if any: NE-B-WFV.
(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: February 2, 2024.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
The Netherlands--Hellfire Missiles
The Government of the Netherlands has requested to buy up
to three hundred eighty-six (386) Hellfire Air-to-Ground
Missiles, AGM-114R2. Also included is U.S. Army Aviation and
Missile Command (AMCOM) Security Assistance Management
Directorate (SAMD) technical assistance; Tactical Aviation
and Ground Munitions (TAGM) Project Office technical
assistance; non-standard books, publications, and other
Hellfire publications; integration support; and other related
elements of logistics and program support. The estimated
total cost is $150 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals
and national security objectives of the United States by
improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for
political stability and economic progress in Europe.
The proposed sale will improve the Netherlands' capability
to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional
threats. This will contribute to its military goals of
updating capability while further enhancing interoperability
with the United States and other allies. The Netherlands will
have no difficulty absorbing this equipment 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 Lockheed Martin
Corporation in Orlando, FL. The purchaser typically requests
offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations
between the purchaser and the contractor(s).
Implementation of this proposed sale will require U.S.
Government or contractor representatives to travel to the
Netherlands for program management reviews to support the
program.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 23-73
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended
Annex Item No. vii
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
1. The AGM-114R2 Hellfire Missile is used against heavy and
light armored targets, thin skinned vehicles, urban
structures, bunkers, caves, and personnel. The missile is
Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) based, with a variable delay
fuse, and improved safety and reliability.
2. The highest level of classification of defense articles,
components, and services included in this potential sale is
SECRET.
3. 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.
4. A determination has been made that the Government of the
Netherlands 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 have been authorized for release and export to
the Government of the Netherlands.
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