[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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