[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 172 (Wednesday, November 20, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6679-S6680]
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. 24-116,
concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of the United Kingdom for
defense articles and services estimated to cost $70 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. 24-116
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
Kingdom.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $45 million.
Other $25 million.
Total $70 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles
and/or Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Forty-six (46) Tactical Combat Training System Increment II
(TCTS II) air combat training systems.
Non-Major Defense Equipment: The following non-MDE items
will also be included: containers; integration and test
support; spare and repair parts; publications and technical
documentation; personnel training and training equipment;
U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and
logistics support services; and other related elements of
logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Navy (UK-P-LYI).
(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: November 18,
2024.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
United Kingdom--Tactical Combat Training System Increment II
The Government of the United Kingdom has requested to buy
forty-six (46) Tactical Combat Training System Increment II
(TCTS II) air combat training systems. The following' non-MDE
items will also be included: containers; integration and test
support; spare and repair parts; publications and technical
documentation; personnel training and training equipment;
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
$70 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and
national security objectives of the United States by
improving the security of a key NATO Ally that is an
important force for political stability and economic progress
in Europe.
The proposed sale will improve the United Kingdom's
capability to meet current and future threats by improving
live, virtual, and constructive tactical combat training. The
Royal Air Force's use of the TCTS II furthers United States-
United Kingdom operational training interoperability. The
United Kingdom 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 contractors will be Collins Aerospace,
located in Cedar Rapids, IA, and Leonardo DRS Systems,
located in Fort Walton Beach, FL. There are no known offset
agreements 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 the United Kingdom.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 24-116
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 Tactical Combat Training System Increment II (TCTS
II) is a software-configurable, next generation air combat
training system built to support 4th and 5th generation
fighter training on all air combat training ranges. The TCTS
II consists of ground equipment, including Common Ground
Subsystem and Remote Range Units, and an airborne subsystem
pod installed on the aircraft. The airborne subsystem pod
interfaces through a secure connection with an aircraft's
weapon and data buses and transmits data to Remote Range
Units via L-band or S-band radio frequency (RF) signal. The
Remote Range Units then route data via RF, fiber, or cellular
to the Common Ground Subsystem for live monitoring and post
mission replay.
2. The TCTS II provides aircraft and weapons performance
information in real time to assist in accurate and immediate
feedback to aircrews on both offensive and defensive tactics
and weapons employment. Unsuccessful training missions can be
repeated within minutes of restaging instead of waiting for
post mission debriefs to learn of mistakes and then having to
re-fly the same missions at a later date. This has
significant cost savings implications (using fewer flying
hours to achieve results) while simultaneously bringing
better and more relevant training to pilots.
3. The highest level of classification of the 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.
[[Page S6680]]
5. A determination has been made that the United Kingdom
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 been authorized for release and export to
the Government of the United Kingdom.
____
____________________