[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2601-S2602]
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. 25-12,
concerning the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and
Acceptance to the Kingdom of Morocco for defense articles and
services estimated to cost $825 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. 25-12
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: Kingdom of Morocco.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $552 million.
Other $273 million.
Total $825 million.
Funding Source: National Funds.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE): Up to six hundred (600) FIM-
92K Stinger Block I missiles.
Non-Major Defense Equipment: The following non-MDE items
will also be included: U.S. Government and contractor
engineering, logistics, and technical support services; and
other related elements of logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Army (MO-B-UVA).
(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 15, 2025.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Kingdom of Morocco--FIM-92K Stinger Block I Missiles
The Kingdom of Morocco has requested to buy up to six
hundred (600) FIM-92K Stinger Block I Missiles. The following
non-MDE items will also be included: U.S. Government and
contractor engineering, logistics, and technical support
services; and other related elements of logistics and program
support. The estimated total cost is $825 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and
national security of the United States by helping to improve
the security of a major non-NATO ally that continues to be an
important force for political stability and economic progress
in North Africa.
The proposed sale will improve Morocco's capability to meet
current and future threats. Morocco intends to use these
defense articles and services to modernize its armed forces
and expand its existing army short range air defense options.
This will contribute to the Moroccan Army's goals of updating
capability and further enhancing interoperability with the
U.S. and other allies. Morocco will have no difficulty
absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
[[Page S2602]]
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractors will be RTX Corporation, located
in Tucson, AZ; and Lockheed Martin, located in Syracuse, NY.
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 the Kingdom of Morocco.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 25-12
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 FIM-92K Stinger Block I missile is a lightweight,
self-contained air defense system that can be rapidly
deployed by ground troops. Its seeker and guidance systems
enable the weapon to acquire, track, and engage a target with
one shot.
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.
3. A determination has been made that the Kingdom of
Morocco 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.
4. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal have been authorized for release and export to
the Kingdom of Morocco.
____________________