[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 172 (Wednesday, November 20, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6677-S6678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATIONS
Mr. CARDIN. Madam 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
[[Page S6678]]
the Arms Export Control Act, as amended, we are forwarding
herewith Transmittal No. 24-46, concerning the Navy's
proposed Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia for defense articles and services estimated to
cost $251.8 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. 24-46
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: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment* $192.4 million.
Other --- $59.4 million.
Total $251.8 million.
Funding Source: National Funds.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Two-hundred twenty (220) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder
Tactical Missiles.
Non-MDE: Also included are missile containers; support
equipment; spares; missile software; training; U.S.
Government and contractor technical assistance; and other
related elements of logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Navy (SR-P-ACD).
(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 11, 2024.
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
policy justification
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia--AIM-9X Block 11 Sidewinder Missiles
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested to buy two-
hundred twenty (220) AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Tactical
Missiles. Also included are missile containers; support
equipment; spares; missile software; training; and U.S.
Government and contractor technical assistance; and other
related elements of logistics and program support. The
estimated total cost is $251.8 million.
This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy
and national security objectives of the United States by
ensuring the readiness of a friendly country that continues
to be an important force for political stability and economic
growth in the Middle East.
The proposed sale will improve the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia's capability to meet current and future threats,
provide increased air defense capabilities, and support
conducting self-defense and regional security missions in the
Middle East. Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty 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 RTX Corporation, located
in Arlington, VA. There are no known offset agreements
proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require the
assignment of three U.S. Government and two to four
contractor representatives annually to Saudi Arabia for a
period of one week. However, ad hoc travel may be required
for engineering and other support.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
transmittal No. 24-46
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 1 Missile configuration. The
missile includes a high off-boresight seeker, enhanced
countermeasure rejection capability, low drag and 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, which is authorized by U.S. Government
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 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.
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