[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 123 (Monday, July 29, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S5544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                        ARMS SALES NOTIFICATIONS

  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)(5)(A) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), 
     as amended, we are forwarding Transmittal No. 0H-24. 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 22-23 of April 19, 
     2022.
           Sincerely,
                                                  James A. Hursch,
                                                         Director.
       Enclosure.


                         Transmittal No. 0H-24

     Report of Enhancement or Upgrade of Sensitivity of Technology 
         or Capability (Sec. 36(b)(5)(A), AECA)
       (i) Purchaser: Government of Australia.
       (ii) Sec. 36(b)(1). AECA Transmittal No.: 22-23; Date: 
     April 19, 2022; Implementing Agency: Navy.
       (iii) Description: On April 19, 2022, Congress was notified 
     by congressional certification transmittal number 22-23 of 
     the possible sale, under Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export 
     Control Act, of one hundred six (106) Multifunctional 
     Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System 
     (MIDS JTRS) (5) terminals; fifteen (15) MIDS JTRS (6) 
     terminals; and seven (7) Multifunctional Information 
     Distribution System MIDS-Low Volume Terminal (MIDS-LVT) (4) 
     Block Upgrade Two (BU2) retrofit kits. Also included were Low 
     Volume Terminal (LVT) Cryptographic Modules (LCM). The 
     estimated total cost was $42 million. Major Defense Equipment 
     (MDE) constituted $40 million of this total.
       This transmittal reports the inclusion of the following 
     additional MDE items: fifty (50) MIDS JTRS (5) terminals; six 
     (6) MIDS JTRS (6) terminals; and three (3) MIDS JTRS (7) 
     terminals. The estimated total value of the new items is $20 
     million. The non-MDE value will remain at $2 million. The 
     estimated total case value will increase by $20 million to a 
     revised $62 million. MDE constitutes $60 million of this 
     total.
       (iv) Significance: This notification is being provided as 
     the additional MDE items were not enumerated in the original 
     report. The inclusion of this MDE represents an increase in 
     capability over what was previously notified. The proposed 
     articles and services will support Australia in maintaining 
     its current force projection capability and enhances 
     interoperability with U.S. forces well into the future.
       (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 Sensitivity of 
     Technology Statement contained in the original notification 
     applies to items reported here.
       The highest level of classification of defense articles, 
     components, and services included in this potential sale is 
     SECRET.
       (vii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: July 18, 2024.

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