[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 15, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3706-S3707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION

  Mr. CARDIN. Madam 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. 24-24, 
     concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and 
     Acceptance to the Government of Romania for defense articles 
     and services estimated to cost $340.8 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. 24-24

     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 Romania.
       (ii) Total Estimated Value:
       Major Defense Equipment * $285.7 million.
       Other $55.1 million.
       Total $340.8 million.
       Funding Source: National Funds.
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase:
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
       Up to three hundred (300) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II 
     Tactical Missiles.
       Forty (40) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missile 
     Guidance Units.
       Forty (40) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Captive Air Training 
     Missiles (CATM).
       Twenty (20) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II CATM Guidance Units.
       Non-MDE: Also included are missile containers; personnel 
     training and training equipment; classified and unclassified 
     publications and technical documents; warranties; U.S. 
     Government engineering, technical, and logistics support 
     services; and other related elements of logistics and program 
     support.
       (iv) Military Department: Navy (RO-P-AAK).
       (v) Prior Related Cases if any: RO-P-AAA, RO-P-AAJ.
       (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: May 14, 2024.

[[Page S3707]]

       * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          POLICY JUSTIFICATION

              Romania--AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Missiles

       The Government of Romania has requested to buy up to three 
     hundred (300) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missiles; 
     forty (40) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missile 
     Guidance Units; forty (40) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Captive 
     Air Training Missiles (CATM); and twenty (20) AIM-9X 
     Sidewinder Block II CATM Guidance Units. Also included are 
     missile containers; personnel training and training 
     equipment; classified and unclassified publications and 
     technical documents; warranties; U.S. Government engineering, 
     technical, and logistics support services; and other related 
     elements of logistics and program support. The estimated 
     total program cost is $340.8 million.
       This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and 
     national security objectives of the United States by helping 
     to improve the security of a NATO Ally that is an important 
     force for political and economic stability in Europe.
       The proposed sale will improve Romania's capability to meet 
     current and future threats by providing air-to-air missiles 
     for its F-16 fleet in support of NATO's defense mission. 
     Romania will have no difficulty absorbing these 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, located 
     in 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 Romania; however, U.S. Government 
     engineering and technical services may be required on an 
     interim basis for training and technical assistance.
       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.


                         Transmittal No. 24-24

     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. AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Missile represents a 
     substantial increase in missile performance over the AIM-9M 
     and replaces the AIM-9X Block I Missile configuration. The 
     missile includes a high off-boresight seeker, enhanced 
     countermeasure rejection capability, a low drag/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 
     partners, 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 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 Romania 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 
     Romania.

                          ____________________