[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 53 (Monday, March 24, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1796-S1797]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Mr. RISCH. 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. James E. Risch,
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. 24-127,
concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Australia for defense
articles and services estimated to cost $165 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. 24-127
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 Australia.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $0.
Other $165 million.
Total $165 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
None.
Non-Major Defense Equipment:
The following non-MDE items will be included: MJU-61 decoy
flares; MJU-64 decoy flares; MJU-66 flare countermeasures;
MJU-76 flare countermeasures; RR-198A/L chaff cartridges;
CCU-145/A impulse cartridges; other support equipment (MK-3
pallet); U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance;
and other related elements of logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Navy (AT-P-ASW).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: AT-P-AEC, AT-P-AEF, AT-P-
ADY, AT-P-AMG, AT-P-ANZ, and AT-P-AVD.
(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: March 18, 2025.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Australia--Countermeasures, Chaff, and Impulse Cartridges
The Government of Australia has requested to buy MJU-61
decoy flares; MJU-64 decoy flares; MJU-66 flare
countermeasures; MJU-76 flare countermeasures; RR-198A/L
chaff cartridges; CCU-145/A impulse cartridges; other support
equipment (MK-3 pallet); U.S. Government and contractor
technical assistance; and other related elements of logistics
and program support. The estimated total cost is $165
million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and
national security objectives of the United States. Australia
is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific.
The strategic location of this political and economic power
contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic
stability in the Western Pacific. It is vital to the U.S.
national interest to assist our ally
[[Page S1797]]
in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense
capability.
The proposed sale will improve Australia's capability to
meet current and future threats by protecting and increasing
aircraft survivability. Australia 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 contractors will be Kilgore Flares Company,
LLC, located in Toone, TN; Armtec Countermeasures Company,
located in Coachella, CA; Alloy Surface Company, Inc, located
in Aston, PA; Chemring Australia PTY LTD, located in Lara,
Australia; and CCI Capco LLC, located in Grand Junction, CO.
At this time, the U.S. Government is not aware of any offset
agreement proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between
the purchaser and the contractor.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require three
U.S. Government personnel and one contractor representatives
to visit Australia on a temporary basis in conjunction with
program technical oversight and support requirements,
including program and technical reviews.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 24-127
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. Chaff and flare countermeasure systems are critical
defensive technologies designed to protect tactical aircraft
from enemy threats. Chaff consists of dispersed metallic or
conductive strips that generate false radar reflections,
confusing enemy radar systems and reducing the probability of
a successful radar-guided missile engagement. Flare systems
deploy intense infrared-emitting devices to counteract and
mislead missiles and tracking systems, diverting them away
from the aircraft. These countermeasures collectively enhance
the aircraft's defensive capabilities by impairing enemy
targeting systems. For training purposes, pilots use
simulated chaff and flare systems to practice the deployment
and effectiveness of these defensive measures in combat
scenarios.
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 system effectiveness or be used in the
development of a system with similar or advanced
capabilities.
4. A determination has been made that Australia can provide
substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive
technology being released as the U.S. Government. This
proposed 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 Government of Australia.
____________________