[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.
____________________