[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 167 (Wednesday, November 13, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S6555]
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. 24-11,
concerning the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for defense
articles and services estimated to cost $440 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. 24-11
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act
(i) Prospective Purchaser: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment* $280.5 million.
Other $159.5 million.
Total $440.0 million.
Funding Source: National Funds.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Five hundred seven (507) tube-launched, optically-tracked,
wireless-guided (TOW) 2A, radio frequency (RF) missiles (BGM-
71E-4B-RF) (includes 7 ``fly-to-buy'' missiles)
Five hundred seven (507) TOW 2B, RF missiles (BGM-71F-3-RF)
(includes 7 ``fly-to-buy'' missiles)
Non-MDE: The following non-MDE is also included: support
and test equipment; simulators; generators; integration and
test support; spare and repair parts; communications
equipment; software delivery and support; facilities and
construction support; publications and technical
documentation; personnel training and training equipment;
support equipment; U.S. Government and contractor
engineering, technical, and logistics support services;
studies and surveys; and other related elements of logistics
and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Army (SI-B-WYT).
(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 24, 2024.
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
Policy Justification
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia--tube-launched, optically-tracked, wireless-
guided 2A, radio frequency missiles (BGM-71E-4B-RF), tube-launched,
optically-tracked, wireless-guided 2B, radio frequency missiles (BGM-7
IF-3-RF), and Support
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested to buy five
hundred seven (507) tube-launched, optically-tracked,
wireless-guided (TOW) 2A, radio frequency (RF) missiles (BGM-
71E-4B-RF) (including 7 ``fly-to-buy'' missiles); and five
hundred seven (507) TOW 2B, RF missiles (BGM-71F-3-RF)
(including 7 ``fly-to-buy'' missiles). The following non-MDE
is also included: support and test equipment; simulators;
generators; integration and test support; spare and repair
parts; communications equipment; software delivery and
support; facilities and construction support; publications
and technical documentation; personnel training and training
equipment; support equipment; U.S. Government and contractor
engineering, technical, and logistics support services;
studies and surveys; and other related elements of logistics
and program support. The estimated total cost is $440
million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals
and national security objectives of the United States by
improving the security of a partner country that is a force
for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf
Region.
The proposed sale will improve the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia's capability to meet current and future threats by
enhancing the strength of its homeland defense. The Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing this
equipment and services 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. The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any
offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the
purchaser and the contractor.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the
assignment of any additional U.S. Government and contractor
representatives to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 24-11
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 tube-launched, optically-tracked, wireless-guided
(TOW) 2A radio frequency (RF) missile (BGM-71-4B-RF) is a
direct attack missile, while the TOW 2B RF missile (BGM-71F-
3-RF) is a top attack missile. Both are designed to defeat
armored vehicles, reinforced urban structures, field
fortifications, and other such targets. TOW missiles are
fired from a variety of TOW launchers. The RF missiles can be
launched from the same launcher platforms as the existing
wire-guided missiles without modification to the launcher.
TOW 2A and TOW 2B missiles contain two tracker beacons (Xenon
and thermal) for the launcher to track and guide the missile
in flight. Guidance commands from the launcher are provided
to the missile by the RF link contained within the missile
case.
2. The highest level of classification of defense articles,
components, and services included in this potential sale is
UNCLASSIFIED.
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 effectiveness or be used in the
development of a system with similar or advanced
capabilities.
4. A determination has been made that the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia 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 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
____________________