[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 19, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2433-S2434]
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 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. 24-26,
concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Poland for defense articles
and services estimated to cost $219.1 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.
Encloures.
Transmittal No. 24-26
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 Poland.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $181.3 million.
Other $37.8 million.
Total $219.1 million.
Funding Source: Foreign Military Financing and National
Funds
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles
or Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Two hundred thirty-two (232) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II
Tactical Missiles.
Sixteen (16) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missile
Guidance Units.
Non-MDE: Also included are missile containers; training
aids; active optical target detectors; spares; support
equipment; missile support; U.S. Government and contractor
technical assistance; and other related elements of logistics
and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Navy (PL-P-ABH).
(v) Prior Related Cases. if any: PL-P-AAV.
(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: March 12, 2024.
[[Page S2434]]
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Poland--AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Missiles
The Government of Poland has requested to buy two hundred
thirty-two (232) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missiles
and sixteen (16) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missile
Guidance Units. Also included are missile containers;
training aids; active optical target detectors; spares;
support equipment; missile support; U.S. Government and
contractor technical assistance; and other related elements
of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is
$219.1 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals
and national security objectives of the Unite 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 Poland's capability to meet
current and future operational needs. The additional missiles
will allow Poland to bolster its defenses while increasing
NATO interoperability. Poland already has these missiles in
its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing the
additional weapons 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 RTX Corporation, Tucson,
AZ. There are no known offset agreements proposed 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 Poland. However, periodic travel on a
temporary basis will be required in conjunction with program,
technical, and management oversight and support requirements.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 24-26
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 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Missile represents a
substantial increase in performance over the AIM-9M and
replaces the AlM-9X Block I Missile configuration. The
missile includes a high off-boresight seeker, enhanced
countermeasure rejection capability, low drag and high angle
of attack airframe, and the ability to integrate the Helmet
Mounted Cueing System. The most current AIM-9X Block II
Operational Flight Software developed for all International
Partner countries, which is authorized by U.S. Government
export policy, provides fifth-generation infrared missile
capabilities such as Lock-On-After-Launch, Weapons Data Link,
Surface Attack, and Surface Launch. No software source code
or algorithms will be released.
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 weapon system effectiveness or be used in the
development of a system with similar or advanced
capabilities.
4. A determination has been made that Poland 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
Poland.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Poland--AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range-Air-to-Air Missiles
The Government of Poland has requested to buy up to seven
hundred forty-five (745) AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range
Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), up to sixteen (16) AIM-120C-8
AMRAAM guidance sections, and fifty (50) LAU-129 Guided
Missile Launchers. Also included are AIM-120 Captive Air
Training Missiles, missile containers, and control section
spares; Common Munitions Built-in-Test Reprogramming
Equipment; ADU-891 Adapter Group Test Sets; munitions support
and support equipment; spare and repair parts, consumables,
accessories, and repair and return support; contract
logistics support; classified software delivery and support;
classified and unclassified publications and technical
documentation; personnel training and training support;
transportation support; studies and surveys; U.S. Government
and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support
services; and other related elements of logistics and program
support. The estimated total cost is $1.69 billion.
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 Poland's capability to meet
current and future threats by ensuring it has modern, capable
air-to-air munitions. This sale will further advance the
already high level of Polish Air Force interoperability with
U.S. Joint Forces and other regional and NATO forces. The
Government of Poland already has AMRAAMs in its inventory and
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 contractor will be RTX Corporation, Tucson,
AZ. There are no known offset agreements proposed 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 the Government of Poland.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 24-29
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 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile
(AMRAAM) is a supersonic, air-launched, aerial intercept
guided missile featuring digital technology and micro-
miniature, solid-sate electronics. AMRAAM capabilities
include look-down and shoot-down, multiple launches against
multiple targets, resistance to electronic countermeasures,
and interception of high and low-flying and maneuvering
targets. This potential sale will include Captive Air
Training Missiles, AMRAAM guidance section spares and control
section spares, and LAU-129 guided missile launchers.
2. The Common Munitions Built-In-Test (BIT)/Reprogramming
Equipment (CMBRE) is support equipment used to interface with
weapon systems to initiate and report BIT results and to
upload and download flight software. CMBRE supports multiple
munitions platforms with a range of applications that perform
preflight checks, periodic maintenance checks, loading of
Operational Flight Program data, loading of munitions mission
planning data, loading of Global Positioning System (GPS)
cryptographic keys, and declassification of munitions memory.
3. The ADU-891 Adapter Group Test Set provides the physical
and electrical interface between the CMBRE and the missile.
4. The highest level of classification of defense articles,
components, and services included in this potential sale is
SECRET.
5. 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.
6. A determination has been made that Poland 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.
7. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal have been authorized for release and export to
Poland.
____________________