[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 140 (Tuesday, September 10, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5926-S5927]
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. 24-55, 
     concerning the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and 
     Acceptance to the Government of the Netherlands for defense 
     articles and services estimated to cost $224 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. 24-55

     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 the Netherlands.

[[Page S5927]]

       (ii) Total Estimated Value:
       Major Defense Equipment* $44 million.
       Other $180 million.
       Total $224 million.
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase: The Government of 
     the Netherlands has requested to buy new production PATRIOT 
     M903 launching stations (LS), as well as equipment and 
     services to upgrade existing M901 LS to the M903 LS 
     configuration. These combined potential sales would include:
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
       Two (2) PATRIOT M903 launching stations (LS).
       Non-MDE: LS modification kits; PATRIOT Advanced Capability-
     3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) launcher 
     conversion kits; LS heater controllers; shorting plug kits; 
     PATRIOT automated logistics system kits; concurrent spare 
     parts; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, 
     logistics, and fielding support services; and other related 
     elements of logistics and program support.
       (iv) Military Department: Army (NE-B-YBH, NE-B-YBE).
       (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None.
       (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 29, 2024.
       * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export 
     Control Act.


                          policy justification

 The Netherlands--PATRIOT M903 Launching Stations New Buy and Upgrades

       The Government of the Netherlands has requested to buy two 
     (2) new production PATRIOT M903 launching stations (LS) and 
     equipment and services to upgrade existing M901 LS to the 
     M903 LS configuration. The following non-MDE is also 
     included: LS modification kits; PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 
     (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) launcher conversion 
     kits; LS heater controllers; shorting plug kits; PATRIOT 
     automated logistics system kits; concurrent spare parts; U.S. 
     Government and contractor engineering, technical, logistics, 
     and fielding support services; and other related elements of 
     logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is 
     $224 million.
       This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals 
     and national security objectives of the United States by 
     improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for 
     political stability and economic progress in Europe.
       The proposed sale will improve the Netherlands' missile 
     defense capability to meet current and future enemy threats. 
     The Netherlands will use the enhanced capability to 
     strengthen its homeland defense, deter regional threats, and 
     provide direct support to coalition and security cooperation 
     efforts. The Netherlands 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 principal contractors are Lockheed-Martin Missiles and 
     Fire Control, located in Grand Prairie, TX, and RTX 
     Corporation, located in Arlington, VA. The purchaser 
     typically requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be 
     defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the 
     contractor(s).
       Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the 
     assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor 
     representatives to the Netherlands.
       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.


                         Transmittal No. 24-55

  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. PATRIOT missiles are both transported on and launched 
     from launching stations (LS). All new LSs are M903 
     configuration, which is capable of launching the entire 
     family of PATRIOT missiles.
       2. The highest level of classification of defense articles, 
     components, and services included in this potential sale is 
     CONFIDENTIAL.
       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 the Government of the 
     Netherlands can provide substantially the same degree of 
     protection for the technology being released as the U.S. 
     Government. This potential sale is necessary in furtherance 
     of the U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives 
     as outlined in the Policy Justification.
       5. All defense articles and services listed in this 
     transmittal have been authorized for release and export to 
     the Government of the Netherlands.

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