[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.

                          ____________________