[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 140 (Tuesday, September 10, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page 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)(l) of the Arms Export Control Act, as 
     amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 24-68, 
     concerning the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and 
     Acceptance to the Government ofAustralia for defense services 
     estimated to cost $300 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. 24-68

     Notice ofProposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to 
         Section 36(b)(l) of the Arms Export Control Act, as 
         amended
       (i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Australia.
       (ii) Total Estimated Value:
       Major Defense Equipment* $0 million.
       Other $300 million.
       Total $300 million.
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase:
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE): None.
       Non-Major Defense Equipment: The following non-MDE items 
     will be included: AH-64E Apache sustainment support services; 
     U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and 
     logistics support services; technical data and publications; 
     personnel training; and other related elements of logistics, 
     and program support.
       (iv) Military Department: Army (AT-B-UMW).
       (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: AT-B-ULV.
       (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: None.
       (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: August 23, 2024.
       * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          policy justification

         Australia--AH-64E Apache Sustainment Support Services

       The Government of Australia has requested to buy AH-64E 
     Apache sustainment support services, including U.S. Govemment 
     and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support 
     services; technical data and publications; personnel 
     training; and other related elements of logistics, and 
     program support. The estimated total cost is $300 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. The strategic location 
     of this political and economic power contributes 
     significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the 
     Western Pacific. 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 Australia's capability to 
     meet current and future threats by providing the necessary 
     sustainment support to successfully employ its AH-64E Apache 
     helicopters. It will also improve Australia's capability to 
     support coalition operations and contribute to mutual 
     security goals in the region. Australia will have no 
     difficulty absorbing this equipment 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 contractors will be The Boeing Company, 
     located in Mesa, 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 require the 
     assignment of up to four U.S. Government and contractor 
     representatives to Australia for a duration of up to five 
     years to support sustainment of the AH-64E Apache.
       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.

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