[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 172 (Wednesday, November 20, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6678-S6679]
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 the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 20-79
concerning the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of the United Arab Emirates for
defense articles and services estimated to cost $1.2 billion.
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. 20-79
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 the United Arab
Emirates.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $1.15 billion.
Other $.05 billion.
Total $1.20 billion.
Funding Source: National Funds.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Two hundred fifty-nine (259) Guided Multiple Launch Rocket
System (GMLRS) M31A1 Unitary Pods (1,554 missiles at six
missiles per pod).
Two hundred three (203) Army Tactical Missile Systems
(ATACMS) M57 Unitary Missiles.
Non-MDE: Also included are publications; personnel training
and training equipment; software development; U.S. Government
and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support
services; and other related elements of logistical and
program support.
(iv) Military Department: Army (AE-B-ZUZ).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: AE-B-ZVE.
(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed
to be Paid: None.
(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
United Arab Emirates--GMLRS and ATACMS Munitions
The Government of the United Arab Emirates has requested to
buy two hundred fifty-nine (259) Guided Multiple Launch
Rocket System (GMLRS) M31A1 Unitary Pods (1,554 missiles at
six missiles per pod) and two hundred three (203) Army
Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) M57 Unitary Missiles. Also
included are publications; personnel training and training
equipment; software development; U.S. Government and
contractor engineering, technical and logistics support
services; and other related elements of logistical and
program support. The estimated total cost is $1.2 billion.
The proposed sale will support the foreign policy and
national security objectives of the United States by helping
to improve the security of an important regional partner. The
United Arab Emirates has been, and continues to be, a vital
U.S. partner for political stability and economic progress in
the Middle East.
[[Page S6679]]
The proposed sale will improve the United Arab Emirates'
capability to meet current and future threats by modernizing
its armed forces. This sale will contribute to the United
Arab Emirates' military goals of updating capability while
further enhancing interoperability with the United States and
other partners. The United Arab Emirates will have no
difficulty absorbing these articles 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, Grand
Prairie, TX. There are no known offset agreements proposed in
connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require the
temporary assignment of four (4) U.S. Government and four (4)
U.S. contractor representatives to the United Arab Emirates
for a duration of no longer than ten (10) days to support new
software equipment training and the stockpile reliability
program.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 20-79
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer and Acceptance
Pursuant to Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control
Act
Annex Item No. vii
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
1. The Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) is a
solid propellant artillery rocket for the High Mobility
Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). GMLRS uses GPS-aided
inertial guidance to accurately and quickly deliver a single
high-explosive blast fragmentation warhead to targets. The
GMLRS has an operational range of 15-70km.
2. The M57 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) is a
conventional, semi-ballistic missile for the High Mobility
Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). ATACMS is a guided by GPS-
aided inertial navigation systems to provide precise
targeting over ranges of up to 300km.
3. The highest level of classification of defense articles,
components, and services included in this potential sale is
SECRET.
4. 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.
5. A determination has been made that the United Arab
Emirates 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.
6. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal have authorized for release and export to the
Government of the United Arab Emirates.
____________________