[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 140 (Tuesday, September 10, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5912-S5913]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATIONS
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 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. 24-66,
concerning the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Australia for defense
articles and services estimated to cost $100 million. We will
issue a news release to notify the public of this proposed
sale upon delivery of this letter to your office.
Sincerely,
Michael F. Miller,
Acting Director.
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 24-66
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 Australia.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $95 million.
Other $5 million.
Total $100 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Three hundred fifty (350) Javelin FGM-148F missiles
(includes four (4) fly-to-buy missiles).
Non-Major Defense Equipment: The following non-MDE items
will also be included: U.S. Government technical assistance;
technical data; repair and return services; and other related
elements of logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Army AT-B-UOA.
(v) Prior Related Cases. if any: AT-B-UJV; AT-B-ULI; AT-B-
UMF; AT-B-UMX; AT-B-ZYH; AT-B-ZYQ; AT-B-ZYS; AT-B-ZXZ; AT-B-
ZZA.
(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed
to be Paid: None.
(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: August 19, 2024.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Australia--FGM-148F Javelin Missiles
The Government of Australia has requested to buy three
hundred fifty (350) Javelin FGM-148F missiles (includes four
(4) fly-to-buy missiles). Also included is U.S. Government
technical assistance; technical data; repair and return
services; and other related elements of logistics and program
support. The estimated cost is $100 million.
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. It is vital to the U.S. national
interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a
strong and ready self-defense capability.
The proposed sale will improve the Australian Army's
capability to meet current and future threats by maintaining
and increasing its anti-armor capability. Australia will have
no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
The prime contractors will be the Javelin Joint Venture
between RTX Corporation, located in Tucson, AZ, and Lockheed
Martin, located in Orlando, FL. 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 U.S. Government or contractor
representatives to Australia.
[[Page S5913]]
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 24-66
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 Javelin Weapon System is a medium-range, man
portable, shoulder-launched, fire and forget, anti-tank
system for infantry, scouts, and combat engineers. It may
also be mounted on a variety of platforms including vehicles,
aircraft, and watercraft. The system weighs 49.5 pounds and
has a maximum range in excess of 2,500 meters. The system is
highly lethal against tanks and other systems with
conventional and reactive armors. The system possesses a
secondary capability against bunkers.
2. The Javelin's key technical feature is the use of fire-
and-forget technology which allows the gunner to fire and
immediately relocate or take cover. Additional special
features are the top-attack and direct fire modes, an
advanced tandem warhead and imaging infrared seeker, target
lock-on before launch, and soft launch from enclosures or
covered fighting positions. The Javelin missile also has a
minimum smoke motor thus decreasing its detection on the
battlefield.
3. The Javelin Weapon System is comprised of two major
tactical components, which are a reusable Light Weight
Command Launch Unit (LWCLU) and a round contained in a
disposable launch tube assembly. The LWCLU incorporates an
integrated day-night sight that provides a target engagement
capability in adverse weather and countermeasure
environments. The LWCLU may also be used in a stand-alone
mode for battlefield surveillance and target detection. The
LWCLU's thermal sight is a 3rd generation Forward Looking
Infrared (FLIR) sensor. To facilitate initial loading and
subsequent updating of software, all on-board missile
software is uploaded via the LWCLU after mating and prior to
launch.
4. The missile is autonomously guided to the target using
an imaging infrared seeker and adaptive correlation tracking
algorithms. This allows the gunner to take cover or reload
and engage another target after firing a missile. The missile
has an advanced tandem warhead and can be used in either the
top-attack or direct fire modes (for target undercover). An
onboard flight computer guides the missile to the selected
target.
5. The highest level of classification of defense articles,
components, and services included in this potential sale is
SECRET.
6. 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.
7. A determination has been made that Australia 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.
8. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal have been authorized for release and export to
the Government of Australia.
____________________