[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 185 (Thursday, December 12, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6996-S6997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
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. 24-126,
concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of the Netherlands for defense
articles and services estimated to cost $807 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. 24-126
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 Netherlands.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment* $765 million.
Other $42 million.
Total $807 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Up to two hundred twenty-six (226) AIM-120D3 Advanced
Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM).
Up to five (5) AIM-120D3 AMRAAM guidance sections, to
include precise position provided by either Selective
Availability Anti-Spoofing Module or M-Code.
One (1) AIM-120 AMRAAM Integrated Test Vehicle (ITV).
Non-Major Defense Equipment: The following non-MDE items
will also be included: AMRAAM control sections, missile
containers and support equipment; KGV-135A encryption
devices; spare parts, consumables and accessories, and repair
and return support; weapons system support and software;
classified software delivery and support; classified
publications and technical documentation; transportation
support; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor
engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and
other related elements of logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Air Force (NE-D-YAK)
(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: December 6, 2024.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
policy justification
The Netherlands--AIM-120D3 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles
The Government of the Netherlands has requested to buy up
to two hundred twenty-six (226) AIM-120D3 Advanced Medium
Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM); up to five (5) AIM-120D3
AMRAAM guidance sections, to include precise position
provided by either Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing
Module or M-Code; and one (1) AIM-120 AMRAAM Integrated Test
Vehicle (ITV). The following non-MDE items will also be
included: AMRAAM control sections, missile containers and
support equipment; KGV-135A encryption devices; spare parts,
consumables and accessories, and repair and return support;
weapons system support and software; classified software
delivery and support; classified publications and technical
documentation; transportation support; studies and surveys;
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 up
to $807 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals
and national security objectives of the United States by
improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for
political stability and economic progress in Europe.
The proposed sale will improve the Netherland's capability
to meet current and future threats by providing advanced all-
weather, beyond-visual-range, air-to-air defense to protect
Dutch and Allied forces in transition or combat and
significantly improve the Dutch contribution to NATO
requirements. The Netherlands already has AMRAAM in its
inventory and 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 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 or contractor
representatives to the Netherlands.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
[[Page S6997]]
transmittal no. 24-126
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-120D3-series Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air
Missile (AMRAAM) is a supersonic, air-launched, aerial
intercept, guided missile featuring digital technology and
microminiature, solid-state electronics. AMRAAM capabilities
include look-down/shoot-down, multiple launches against
multiple targets, resistance to electronic countermeasures,
and interception of high and low-flying and maneuvering
targets. The AIM-120D3 features a quadrangle target detection
device and an electronics unit within the guidance section
that performs all radar signal processing, mid-course and
terminal guidance, flight control, target detection, and
warhead detonation.
2. The KGV-135A is a high-speed, general purpose encryptor/
decryptor module used for wideband data encryption.
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 Netherlands 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 Netherlands.
____________________