[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2507-S2508]
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. 25-10,
concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Government of Australia for defense
articles and services estimated to cost $1.04 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. 25-10
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 * $1.00 billion.
Other $ .04 billion.
Total $1.04 billion.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Up to two hundred (200) AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range
Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM).
Up to two hundred (200) AIM-120D-3 AMRAAMs.
Non-Major Defense Equipment: The following non-MDE items
will be included: AMRAAM containers and support equipment;
spare parts, consumables, and accessories; 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 (AT-D-YAL).
(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: April 9, 2025.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Australia--AIM-120C and AIM-120D Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air
Missiles
The Government of Australia has requested to buy up to two
hundred (200) AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air
Missiles (AMRAAM); and up to two hundred (200) AIM-120D-3
AMRAAMs. The following non-MDE items will be included: AMRAAM
containers and support equipment; spare parts, consumables
and accessories, 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 $1.04 billion.
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 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 contractor will be RTX Corporation, located
in Tucson, AZ. 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 not require the
assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor
representatives to Australia.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 25-10
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-120D-3 series Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air
Missile (AMRAAM) is a supersonic, air-launched, aerial
intercept, guided missile featuring digital technology and
microminiature, and 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-120D-3 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. Precise positioning will
be provided by either Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing
Module or M-Code.
2. The AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile
(AMRAAM) is a supersonic, air or surface-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.
3. The AMRAAMs will be integrated on the Royal Australian
Air Force (RAAF) combat aircraft platforms, such as the F/A-
18, EA-18G, and F-35, along with the ground-based National
Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS).
4. The highest level of classification of defense articles,
components, and services included in this potential sale is
SECRET.
5. 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
[[Page S2508]]
system with similar or advanced capabilities.
6. 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 sale
is necessary in furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy and
national security objectives outlined in the Policy
Justification.
7. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal have been authorized for release and export to
the Government of Australia.
____________________