[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 80 (Wednesday, May 8, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3589-S3590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                        ARMS SALES NOTIFICATIONS

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control 
Act

[[Page S3590]]

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)(5)(C) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), 
     as amended, we are forwarding Transmittal No. 24-0F. This 
     notification relates to enhancements or upgrades from the 
     level of sensitivity of technology or capability described in 
     the Section 36(b)(1) AECA certification 21-55 of August 25, 
     2021.
           Sincerely,
                                                  James A. Hursch,
                                                         Director.
       Enclosure.


                         Transmittal No. 24-0F

     Report of Enhancement or Upgrade of Sensitivity of Technology 
         or Capability (Sec. 36(b)(5)(C), AECA)
       (i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Australia.
       (ii) Sec. 36(B)(1), AECA Transmittal No.: 21-55; Date: 
     August 25, 2021; Implementing Agency: Navy.
       (iii) Description: On August 25, 2021, Congress was 
     notified by Congressional certification transmittal number 
     21-55, of the possible sale, under Section 36(6)(1) of the 
     Arms Export Control Act, of defense services related to the 
     future purchase of Standard Missile 6 Block I (SM-6) and 
     Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC (SM-2 IIIC) missiles. These 
     services included development; engineering, integration, and 
     testing (EI&T); obsolescence engineering activities required 
     to ensure readiness; U.S. Government and contractor 
     engineering/technical assistance, and related studies and 
     analysis support; technical and logistics support services; 
     and other related elements of program and logistical support. 
     The estimated total value was $350 million. There was no 
     Major Defense Equipment (MDE) associated with this sale.
       This transmittal notifies the inclusion of the following 
     MDE items: up to four hundred (400) SM-2 IIIC All Up Rounds 
     (AUR); and up to five hundred (500) SM-6 AUR. Also included 
     are non-MDE missile canisters; associated support; and test 
     equipment. The estimated total value of the new items is 
     $4.15 billion. The estimated non-MDE value will increase by 
     $150 million to a revised $500 million. The estimated total 
     case value will increase by $4.15 billion to a revised $4.5 
     billion. MDE constitutes $4.0 billion of this total.
       (iv) Significance: This notification is being provided as 
     the MDE items were not enumerated in the original 
     notification. The inclusion of this MDE represents an 
     increase in capability over what was previously notified.
       (v) Justification: This proposed sale will support the 
     foreign policy and national security objectives of the United 
     States. Australia is one of our most important allies in the 
     Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and 
     economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace 
     and economic stability in the region.
       (vi) Sensitivity of Technology:
       The Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) is a surface Navy Anti-Air 
     Warfare missile that provides area and ship self-defense. The 
     missile is intended to project power through its ability to 
     destroy manned fixed and rotary wing aircraft, Unmanned 
     Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Land Attack Cruise Missiles, and 
     Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles in flight. It was designed to 
     fulfill the need for a vertically launched, extended range 
     missile compatible with the AEGIS Weapon System to be used 
     against extended range threats at sea, near land, and 
     overland. The SM-6 combines the tested legacy of Standard 
     Missile 2 (SM-2) propulsion and ordnance with an active Radio 
     Frequency seeker allowing for over-the-horizon engagements, 
     enhanced capability at extended ranges, and increased 
     firepower.
       The SM-2 Block IIIC Active Missile maximizes existing SM-6 
     Block I active and SM-2 semi-active missile technology to 
     deliver a low cost, medium range dual mode active/semi-active 
     missile.
       The highest level of classification of defense articles, 
     components, and services included in this potential sale is 
     SECRET.
       (vii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: May 1, 2024.

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