[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 167 (Wednesday, November 13, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6546-S6547]
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. 24-111,
concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Argentina for defense
articles and services estimated to cost $941 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,
Director.
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 24-111
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 Argentina.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $94 million.
Other $847 million.
Total $941 million.
Funding Source: Foreign Military Financing and National
Funds.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase: The Government of
Argentina has requested to buy equipment and services to
support twenty-four (24) F-16 Block 10/15 aircraft procured
through third-party transfer. These items include:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Thirty-six (36) AIM-120 C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-
Air Missiles (AMRAAM).
Two (2) AIM-120 C-8 AMRAAM guidance sections.
One hundred two (102) MK-82 500lb general purpose bombs.
Fifty (50) MXU-650 air foil groups for 500lb GBU-12 Paveway
II laser-guided bombs.
One hundred two (102) FMU-152A/B joint programmable fuzes
with FZU-63A/B fuze systems.
Fifty (50) MAU-169L/B computer control groups.
Non-Major Defense Equipment:
The following non-MDE items will also be included: weapons
and weapons support equipment; explosive charges, devices,
propellants, and components; AN/ARC-238 radios; Joint Mission
Planning Systems (JMPS); FMU-169D/B inert fuzes; Ground
Support System (GSS) for Link-16; KY-58M and KIV-78
cryptographic devices, AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders (SKL),
communications security (COMSEC) cables, and other COMSEC
devices and equipment; cartridges, chaffs, and flares;
practical explosive ordinance disposal system trainer;
avionics support; communications equipment; precision
navigation; Computer Program Identification Numbers (CPINS);
electronic warfare database support; major and minor
modifications and maintenance support; aircraft components,
parts, and accessories; instruments and lab equipment; spare
parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return
support; classified and unclassified software delivery and
support; classified and unclassified publications and
technical documentation; personnel training and training
equipment; clothing, textiles, and individual equipment; jet
fuel; aircraft ferry, aerial refueling, and transportation
support; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor
engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and
other related elements of logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Air Force (AR-D-QAZ).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None.
(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed
to be Paid: None known at this time.
(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: October 30, 2024.
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
Argentina--F-16 Aircraft Equipment and Support
The Government of Argentina has requested to buy equipment
and services to support twenty-four (24) F-16 Block 10/15
aircraft procured through third-party transfer. These items
include: thirty-six (36) AIM-120 C-8 Advanced Medium Range
Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM); two (2) AIM-120 C-8 AMRAAM
guidance sections; one hundred two (102) MK-82 500lb general
purpose bombs; fifty (50) MXU-650 air foil groups for 500lb
GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs; one hundred two (102)
FMU-152A/B joint programmable fuzes with FZU-63A/B fuze
systems; and fifty (50) computer control groups
[[Page S6547]]
MAU-169L/B. The following non-MDE items will also be
included: weapons and weapons support equipment; explosive
charges, devices, propellants, and components; AN/ARC-238
radios; Joint Mission Planning Systems (JMPS); FMU-169D/B
inert fuzes; Ground Support System (GSS) for Link-16; KY-58M
and KIV-78 cryptographic devices, AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key
Loaders (SKL), communications security (COMSEC) cables, and
other COMSEC devices and equipment; cartridges, chaffs, and
flares; practical explosive ordinance disposal system
trainer; avionics support; communications equipment;
precision navigation; Computer Program Identification Numbers
(CPINS); electronic warfare database support; major and minor
modifications and maintenance support; aircraft components,
parts, and accessories; instruments and lab equipment; spare
parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return
support; classified and unclassified software delivery and
support; classified and unclassified publications and
technical documentation; personnel training and training
equipment; clothing, textiles, and individual equipment; jet
fuel; aircraft ferry, aerial refueling, and transportation
support; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor
engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and
other related elements of logistics and program support. The
estimated total cost is $941 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals
and national security objectives of the United States by
improving the security of a major non-NATO ally that is a
force for political stability and economic progress in South
America.
The proposed sale will improve Argentina's capability to
meet current and future threats by providing the additional
capacity to conduct air defense, offensive counter air, and
close air support operations. Argentina will have no
difficultly 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 contractor will be Lockheed Martin, located
in Fort Worth, TX. There are no known offsets 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
Argentina.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 24-111
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-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile
(AMRAAM) is a supersonic, air-launched, aerial intercept,
guided missile featuring digital technology and
microminiature, solid-state electronics. AMRAAM capabilities
include look-down/shoot-down, multiple launches against
multiple targets, resistance to electronic countermeasures,
and interception of high- and low-flying and maneuvering
targets.
2. The Paveway II (PWII) is a maneuverable, free-fall
laser-guided bomb (LGB). It is delivered like a normal
general purpose (GP) warhead, but the semi-active laser
guidance corrects many of the normal errors inherent in any
delivery system. Laser designation for the LGB can be
provided by a variety of laser target markers or designators.
The PWII consists of a non-warhead-specific MAU-209 or MAU-
169 computer control group (CCG) and a warhead-specific air
foil group (AFG) that attaches to the nose and tail of the GP
bomb body.
The GBU-12 is a 500-pound general-purpose (GP) bomb body
fitted with the MAU-169 (CCG) and MXU-650 AFG for guidance to
its laser designated target.
3. The MK-82 general purpose (GP) bomb is a 500-pound,
free-fall, unguided, low-drag weapon. The MK-82 is designed
for soft, fragment-sensitive targets and is not intended for
hard targets or penetrations. The explosive filling is
usually tritonal, though other compositions have sometimes
been used.
4. ARC-238 radios are cryptographic voice communications
radio systems equipped with Second Generation Anti-jam
Tactical Ultra-High-Frequency Radio for NATO (SATURN). Other
waveforms may be included as needed.
5. The AN/PYQ-10] Simple Key Loader is a handheld device
used for securely receiving, storing, and transferring data
between compatible cryptographic and communications
equipment.
6. The KY-58M is a cryptographic modernized secure voice
module primarily used to encrypt radio communication to and
from military aircraft and other tactical vehicles.
7. The KIV-78 is a cryptographic applique for IFF. It can
be loaded with Mode 5 classified elements.
8. The Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) is a multi-
platform, PC-based mission planning system. Its modular suite
of systems is tailored to user needs, allowing operators of
various aircraft to install planning modules required for
flight planning, weapons delivery planning, post-flight
debrief, and operational integration.
9. Link-16 is an advanced command, control, communications,
and intelligence (C3I) system incorporating jam-resistant,
digital communication links for exchange of near real-time
tactical information, including both data and voice, among
air, ground, and sea elements. It provides the warfighter key
theater functions such as surveillance, identification, air
control, and weapons engagement coordination for all services
and allied forces.
10. The highest level of classification of defense
articles, components, and services included in this potential
sale is SECRET.
11. 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.
12. A determination has been made that Argentina 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.
13. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal have been authorized for release and export to
Government of Argentina.
____________________