[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 145 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4721-S4723]
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
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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:
U.S. Department of State,
Washington, DC.
CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION TRANSMITTAL LETTER
Please find enclosed the following notification from the
Department of State.
Department Notification Number: RSAT 26-80.
Pursuant to the reporting requirements of Section 36(b)(1)
of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), as amended, we are
forwarding Transmittal No. 26-80 concerning the Air Force's
proposed Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Government
of Qatar for defense articles and services estimated to cost
$4.5 billion. We will issue a news release to notify the
public of this proposed sale upon delivery of this letter to
your office.
Recipients:
Speaker of the House of Representatives
House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Sincerely,
Kaitlyn Wolfe,
Senior Bureau Official,
Bureau of Legislative Affairs.
Transmittal No. 26-80
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 Qatar.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment \*\ $2.18 billion.
Other $2.32 billion.
Total $4.50 billion.
Funding Source: National Funds.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Up to four (4) KC-46A aircraft.
Eight (8) PW4062 turbofan engines (4 installed, 4 spares).
Ten (10) AN/ALR-69A radar warning receivers (4 installed, 6
spares).
Fifteen (15) Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies for
Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) systems (12
installed, 3 spares).
Eight (8) LAIRCM system processor replacements (4
installed, 4 spares).
Non-MDE: The following non-MDE items will also be included:
missile warning sensors; cartridge actuated devices and
propellent actuated devices; control interface units; user
data module cards; electronic warfare database support; KIV-
77 crypto module; KY-100M crypto terminals; AN/PYQ-10 simple
key loaders; AN/APX-119 Identification Friend or Foe
transponder; precision navigation; Computer Program
Identification Numbers; integration and test support and
equipment; aircraft components, parts, and accessories;
support and support equipment; spare parts, consumables and
accessories, and repair and return support; training aids,
devices, and spare parts; major and minor modifications, and
maintenance support; instruments and lab equipment;
classified and unclassified software delivery and support;
unclassified publications and technical documentation; maps,
publications, and technical documentation; personnel training
and training equipment; clothing, textiles, and individual
equipment; trucks and transportation vehicles; facilities and
construction support; jet fuel; transportation and airlift
support; warranties; site surveys; U.S. Government and
contractor engineering; technical and logistics support
services; and other related elements of logistics and program
support.
(iv) Implementing Agency: Air Force QA-D-SAD.
(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: August 18, 2026.
\*\ As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.
POLICY JUSTIFICATION
Qatar--KC-46A Aerial Refueling Aircraft
The Government of Qatar has requested to buy up to four (4)
KC-46A aircraft; eight (8) PW4062 turbofan engines (4
installed, 4 spares); ten (10) AN/ALR-69A radar warning
receivers (4 installed) 6 spares); fifteen (15) Guardian
Laser Transmitter Assemblies (GTLA) for Large Aircraft
Infrared Countermeasure (LAIRCM) systems (12 installed, 3
spares); and eight (8) LAIRCM system processor replacements.
The following non-major defense equipment items will also be
included: missile warning sensors; cartridge actuated devices
and propellent actuated devices; control interface units;
user data module cards; electronic warfare database support;
KIV-77 crypto module; KY-100M crypto terminals; AN/PYQ-10
simple key loaders; AN/APX-119 Identification Friend or Foe
transponder; precision navigation; Computer Program
Identification Numbers; integration and test support and
equipment; aircraft components, parts, and accessories;
support and support equipment; spare parts, consumables and
accessories, and repair and return support; training aids,
devices, and spare parts; major and minor modifications and
maintenance support; instruments and lab equipment;
classified and unclassified software delivery and support;
unclassified publications and technical documentation; maps,
publications, and technical documentation; personnel training
and training equipment; clothing, textiles, and individual
equipment; trucks and transportation vehicles; facilities and
construction support; jet fuel; transportation and airlift
support; warranties; site 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 $4.50 billion.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and
national security objectives of the United States by helping
to improve the security of a strategic regional partner that
has been and continues to be an important force for political
stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
The proposed sale will increase Qatar's capability to meet
current and future threats by enhancing its defense
capabilities and interoperability with U.S. and allied forces
and reinforcing Qatar's strategic role in regional security.
Qatar will have no difficulty absorbing these articles 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 The Boeing Corporation,
located in Arlington, VA; Pratt & Whitney Military Engines,
located in East Hartford, CT; RTX Corporation, located in
Arlington, VA; and Northrop Grumman Corporation, located in
Rolling Meadows, IL. 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 Qatar.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 26-80
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 KC-46A is a military aerial refueling and strategic
military transport aircraft. The KC-46A can refuel most
fixed-wing, receiver-capable aircraft. It is equipped with a
refueling boom driven by a fly-by-wire control system and is
capable of fuel offload rates required for large aircraft.
Its hose and drogue system adds additional mission capability
that is independently operable from the refueling boom
system. The KC-46A can accommodate a mixed load of
passengers, aeromedical evacuation, and cargo capabilities.
Two high-bypass turbofans power the KC-46A to take off at
gross weights of up to 415,000 pounds. Depending on the fuel
storage configuration, the aircraft can carry a palletized
load of up to 65,000 pounds of cargo. The KC-46A is also
equipped with self-protection, defensive, and communication
features making it more survivable in a contested
environment.
2. The AN/AAQ-24(V)N Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure
(LAIRCM) system is a self-contained, directed-energy
countermeasures system designed to protect aircraft from
infrared-guided surface-to-air missiles. The LAIRCM system
features digital technology micro-miniature solid-state
electronics. The system operates in all conditions, detecting
incoming missiles and jamming infrared-seeker equipped
missiles with aimed bursts of laser energy. The LAIRCM system
consists of multiple infrared missile warning sensors, the
Guardian Laser Transmitter Assembly (GLTA) with Selective
Availability Anti-Spoofing Module capability, a LAIRCM System
Processor Replacement (LSPR), a Control Interface Unit
Replacement (CIUR), and a classified memory card User Data
Module (UDM).
a. LAIRCM's infrared missile warning sensors detect and
declare threat missiles. The sensors are mounted on the
aircraft exterior to provide omni-directional protection. The
sensors detect the rocket plume of missiles and send
appropriate data signals to the LSPR for processing.
b. The GLTA is a laser transmitter pointer/tracker
subsystem designed to track the inbound threat missile and
point the laser jam source at the missile's seeker. The GLTA
automatically deploys the countermeasure.
c. The LSPR analyzes the data from each missile warning
sensor and automatically deploys the appropriate
countermeasure via the GLTA. The LSPR contains built-in-test
circuitry.
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d. The CIUR displays the incoming threat for the pilot to
take appropriate action. The CIUR also provides operator
interface to program the LAIRCM system to initiate built-in-
test, to display system status, and to provide the crew with
bearing to threat missile launch.
e. The UDM card contains the laser jam codes and is loaded
into the LSPR prior to flight. When not in use, the
Classified Memory Card UDM is removed from the LSPR and put
in secure storage.
3. The AN/APQ-10 simple key loader is a handheld device
used for securely receiving, storing, and transferring data
between compatible cryptographic and communications
equipment.
4. The KIV-77 is a cryptographic applique for
Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) and can be loaded with
Mode 5 classified elements.
5. The KY-100M is a cryptographic-modernized lightweight
terminal for secure voice and data communication. The KY-100M
provides wideband/narrowband half-duplex communication.
Operating in tactical ground, marine, and airborne
applications, the KY-100M enables secure communication with a
broad range of radio and satellite equipment.
6. The AN/APX-119 is an IFF transponder that provides
military aircraft with a secure combat identification
capability to help reduce fratricide and enhance battlespace
awareness while providing safe access to civilian airspace.
7. The highest level of classification of defense articles,
components, and services included in this potential sale is
SECRET.
8. 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.
9. A determination has been made that Qatar 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.
10. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal have been authorized for release and export to
the Government of Qatar.
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