[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 140 (Tuesday, September 10, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5930-S5931]
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
[[Page S5931]]
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. 23-31,
concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Tunisia for defense articles
and services estimated to cost $110 million. We will issue a
news release to notify the public of this proposed sale upon
delivery of this letter to your office.
Sincerely,
J. Aaron Harding
(For Michael F. Miller, Acting Director).
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 23-31
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 Tunisia.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment* $0 million.
Other $110 million.
Total $110 million.
Funding Source: Foreign Military Financing and National
Funds.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services Under Consideration for Purchase: Foreign Military
Sales (FMS) case TU-P-LBB was below the congressional
notification threshold at $49.3 million for non-MDE 65' SAFE
Archangel boats and additional non-MDE articles and services.
The Government of Tunisia has requested that the case be
amended to include additional non-MDE 65' SAFE Archangel
boats and non-MDE articles and services. This amendment will
push thy current case above the total case value notification
threshold and thus notification of the entire case is
required.
Major Defense Equipment (MDE): None.
Non-MDE: Included are 65' SAFE Archangel boats; commercial
variant marine global positioning systems; navigation
systems; communications equipment; training; and other
related elements of logistical and program support.
(iii) Military Department: Navy (TU-P-LBB).
(iv) Prior Related Cases, if any: None.
(v) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed
to be Paid: None.
(vi) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense
Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: None.
(vii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: August 20, 2024.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
policy justification
Tunisia--65' SAFE Archangel Boats
The Government of Tunisia has requested to buy additional
non-MDE 65' SAFE Archangel boats and additional non-MDE
articles and services that will be added to a previously
implemented case. The original FMS case, valued at $49.3
million, included non-MDE 65' SAFE Archangel boats and non-
MDE articles and services, consisting of commercial variant
marine global positioning systems; navigation systems;
communications equipment; training; and other related
elements of logistical and program support. The estimated
total cost is $110 million.
This proposed sale will support U.S. foreign policy and
national security objectives by helping to improve the
security of a major non-NATO ally that continues to play an
important role in regional security and Peacekeeping
Operations throughout Africa.
The proposed sale will better equip Tunisia to contribute
to shared security objectives, promote regional stability,
and build interoperability with the United States and Western
partners. The Tunisian Navy uses the 65' SAFE boats for
search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and other
maritime-related operations to ensure security in the country
and region. The boats will build on Tunisia's existing
military capability. Tunisia will have no difficulty
absorbing this equipment and services into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and services will not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor is SAFE Boats International,
located in Bremerton, Washington. There are no known offset
agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this sale will not require the assignment
of any U.S. Government or contractor representatives to
Tunisia.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
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