[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 167 (Wednesday, November 13, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6552-S6553]
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)(5)(C) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA),
as amended, we are forwarding Transmittal No. 24-1A. This
notification relates to enhancements or upgrades from the
level of sensitivity of technology or capability described in
the Section 36(b)(1) AECA certification 16-57 of December 20,
2016.
Sincerely,
Michael F. Miller,
Director.
Enclosure.
Transmittal No. 24-1A
Report of Enhancement or Upgrade of Sensitivity of Technology
or Capability (Sec. 36(b)(5)(C), AECA)
(i) Purchaser: Government of Norway.
[[Page S6553]]
(ii) Sec. 36(b)(1), AECA Transmittal No.: 16-57; Date:
December 20, 2016; Implementing Agency: Navy.
(iii) Description: On December 20, 2016, Congress was
notified by congressional certification transmittal number
16-57 of the sale, under Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export
Control Act, of five (5) P-8A Patrol Aircraft, each includes:
Commercial Engines, Tactical Open Mission Software (TOMS),
Electro-Optical (EO) and Infrared (IO) MX-20HD, AN/AAQ-2(V)1
Acoustic System, AN/APY-10 Radar, ALQ-240 Electronic Support
Measures; eleven (11) Multifunctional Distribution System
Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS JTRS); eight (8) Guardian
Laser Transmitter Assemblies (GLTA) for the AN/AAQ-24(V)N;
eight (8) System Processors for AN/AAQ-24(V)N; forty-two (42)
AN/AAR-54 Missile Warning Sensors for the AN/AAQ-24(V)N;
fourteen (14) LN-251 with Embedded Global Positioning Systems
(GPS)/Inertial Navigations Systems (EGIs); two thousand
(2,000) AN/SSQ-125 Multi-Static Active Coherent (MAC) Source
Sonobuoys; spares; spare engine; support equipment;
operational support systems; training; maintenance trainer/
classrooms; publications; software; engineering and logistics
technical assistance; Foreign Liaison Officer support;
contractor engineering technical services; repair and return;
transportation; aircraft ferry; and other associated training
and support. The total estimated program cost was $1.75
billion. Major Defense Equipment (MDE) constituted $1.4
billion of this total.
On October 30, 2019, Congress was notified by congressional
certification transmittal number 19-0M of the sale, under
Section 36(b)(5)(C) of the AECA, of the inclusion of one (1)
additional P-8 aircraft with commercial engines, Tactical
Open Mission Software (TOMS), Electro-Optical (EO) and
Infrared (IO) MX-20HD, AN/AAQ-2(V)1 Acoustic System, AN/APY-
10 Radar, ALQ-240 Electronic Support Measures; one (1)
Multifunctional Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio
Systems (MIDS JTRS); one (1) Guardian Laser Transmitter
Assemblies (GLTA) for the AN/AAQ-24(V)N; one (1) System
Processors for AN/AAQ-24(V)N; two (2) LN-251 with Embedded
Global Positioning Systems (GPS)/Inertial Navigation Systems
(EGIs); and associated materiel, support, and services. These
additional MDE items resulted in an increase in MDE cost of
$100 million, for a total MDE value of $1.5 billion. The
estimated total case value increased to $1.85 billion.
This transmittal notifies the addition of the following
non-MDE items: equipment and services in support of the major
modification of up to six (6) aircraft, including for
elements of Increment 3 Block 2 configuration (wideband
satellite communication (WBSC) and cross-domain solution
(CDS)) upgrades for Norwegian P-8A aircraft; future follow-on
sustainment; engineering, logistics, and contractor services;
spare engines; support equipment; Electronic Maintenance
Training Module (EMTM), previously recognized as Virtual
Maintenance Trainer (VMT); Weapons System Trainer (WST),
comprised of a Operational Flight Trainer (OFT) and a Weapons
Tactical Trainer (WTT); and other related elements of
logistics and program support. There is no additional MDE
being reported with this notification, and as such the
estimated total MDE value remains $1.50 billion. The
estimated total value of the new non-MDE items is $1.58
billion, which will result in a revised non-MDE total of
$1.93 billion. The revised estimated total case value will
increase by $1.93 billion to $3.43 billion.
(iv) Significance: The proposed sale will improve Norway's
capability to perform anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-
surface warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance missions. Norway will use the enhanced
capability as a deterrent to regional threats, to strengthen
its homeland defense, to contribute to coalition maritime
domain awareness, and to provide regional security in Europe.
(v) Justification: This proposed sale will contribute to
the foreign policy and national security of the United States
by helping to improve the security of a NATO Ally which is an
important force for political stability in Europe. The
proposed sale will allow Norway to maintain its Maritime
Patrol Aircraft (MPA) capability following retirement of its
P-3C MPA. This sale will strengthen NATO's collective defense
and enhance Norway's contributions to the Alliance.
(vi) Sensitivity of Technology:
The major aircraft modification which includes Increment 3
Block 2 configuration and the inclusion of new virtual
training systems will increase Norway's maritime capability.
The upgrades will enhance training systems and aircraft
missions, communications, and sensor systems. The WBSC and
CDS elements associated with the Increment 3 Block 2 upgrade
will provide significant enhancements to the Norwegian P-8A
airframe and avionics systems. The upgrades will additionally
include new airframe racks, radomes, antennas, sensors, and
wiring. The modification incorporates a new combat systems
suite with improved computer processing and higher security
architecture capability, a WBSC system, a CDS, an ASW signals
intelligence capability, and additional communications and
acoustics systems to enhance search, detection, and targeting
capabilities.
The Sensitivity of Technology Statement contained in the
original notification applies to additional items reported
here.
The highest level of classification of defense articles,
components, and services included in this potential sale is
TOP SECRET.
(vii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: November 6, 2024.
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