[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 140 (Tuesday, September 10, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S5928]
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. 24-78, 
     concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and 
     Acceptance to the Government of the Netherlands for defense 
     articles and services estimated to cost $691 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. 24-78

     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.
       (ii) Total Estimated Value:
       Major Defense Equipment* $591.7 million.
       Other $99.3 million.
       Total $691.0 million.
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase:
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
       Two hundred forty-six (246) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II 
     tactical missiles.
       Six (6) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder captive air training 
     missiles (CATM).
       Two (2) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder special air training 
     missiles (NATM).
       Fourteen (14) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder tactical guidance 
     units.
       Two (2) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder CATM guidance units.
       Non-MDE: Also included are missile containers; spares; 
     personnel training and training equipment; classified and 
     unclassified publications and technical documents; 
     warranties; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, 
     technical, and logistics support services; and other related 
     elements of logistics and program support.
       (iv) Military Department: Navy (NE-P-AGQ).
       (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None.
       (vi) Sales Commission, Fee. etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed 
     to be Paid: None known.
       (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: September 6, 
     2024.
       * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export 
     Control Act.


                          policy justification

          The Netherlands--AlM-9X Sidewinder Block II Missiles

       The Government of the Netherlands has requested to buy two 
     hundred forty-six (246) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical 
     missiles; six (6) AIM-9X Block II sidewinder captive air 
     training missiles (CATM); two (2) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder 
     special air training missiles; fourteen (14) AIM-9X Block II 
     Sidewinder tactical guidance units; and two (2) AIM-9X Block 
     II Sidewinder CATM guidance units. Also included are missile 
     containers; spares; personnel training and training 
     equipment; classified and unclassified publications and 
     technical documents; warranties; U.S. Government and 
     contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support 
     services; and other related elements of logistics and program 
     support. The estimated total program cost is $691 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' capability 
     to meet current and future threats and enhance 
     interoperability with the United States and other NATO 
     members. The Netherlands will have no difficulty absorbing 
     these weapons into its armed forces.
       The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not 
     alter the basic military balance in the region.
       The principal contractor will be RTX Corporation, located 
     in Tucson, AZ. 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 additional U.S. Government or contractor 
     representatives to the Netherlands; however, U.S. Government 
     Engineering and Technical Services may be required on an 
     interim basis for training and technical assistance.
       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.


                         Transmittal No. 24-78

     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 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missile represents a 
     substantial increase in performance over the AIM-9M and 
     replaces the, AIM-9X Block I missile configuration. The 
     missile includes a high off-boresight seeker, enhanced 
     countermeasure rejection capability, a low drag/high angle of 
     attack airframe and the ability to integrate the Helmet 
     Mounted Cueing System. The most current AIM-9X Block II 
     operational flight software developed for all international 
     partner countries and authorized by U.S. export policy 
     provides fifth-generation infrared missile capabilities such 
     as Lock-On-After-Launch, Weapons Data Link, surface attack, 
     and surface launch. No software source code or algorithms 
     will be released.
       2. The highest level of classification of defense articles, 
     components, and services included in this potential sale is 
     SECRET.
       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 Netherlands 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.
       5. All defense articles and services listed in this 
     transmittal have been authorized for release and export to 
     the Government of the Netherlands.

                          ____________________