[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4976-S4977]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION
Mr. RISCH. Madam 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:
U.S. Department of State,
Washington, DC.
congressional notification transmittal letter
Please find enlcosed the following notification from the
Department of State.
Department Notification Number: RSAT 26-69.
Pursuant to the reporting requiremens of Section 36(b)(1)
of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), as amended, we are
forwarding Transmittal No. 26-69 concerning the Air Force's
proposed Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Government
of Saudi Arabia for defense articles and services estimated
to cost $24.3 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,
Katherine Bowles,
Assistant Secretary,
Bureau of Legislative Affairs.
transmittal no. rsat 26-69
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 Saudi Arabia.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $7.3 billion.
Other $17.0 billion.
Total $24.3 billion.
Funding Source: National Funds.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Forty-eight (48) F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter
aircraft with Conventional Takeoff and Landing.
Forty-nine (49) Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 Engines (48
installed, 1 spare).
Non-MDE: The following non-MDE items will also be included:
AN/PYQ-10 simple key loaders; KIV-78 cryptographic appliques;
secure communications, precision navigation, and
cryptographic devices; electronic warfare database support;
Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices;
aircraft and munitions support and support equipment; spare
parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return
support; training aids, devices, and spare parts; engine
component improvement program; major and minor modifications
and maintenance support; classified and unclassified software
delivery and support; classified and unclassified
publications and technical documentation; transportation,
ferry, and refueling support; personnel training and training
equipment, including simulators; clothing, textiles, and
individual equipment; studies and surveys; site surveys; U.S.
Government and engineering, technical, and logistics support
services; and other related elements of logistics and program
support.
(iv) Military Department: Air Force (SR-D-SAR; SA-D-SAS).
(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: September 17,
2026.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export
Control Act.
policy justification
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia--F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike
Fighter Aircraft
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested to buy forty-
eight (48) F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft
with Conventional Takeoff and Landing; and forty-nine (49)
Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 Engines (48 installed, 1 spare).
The following non-MDE items will also be included: AN/PYQ-10
simple key loaders; KIV-78 cryptographic appliques; secure
communications, precision navigation, and cryptographic
devices; electronic warfare database support; Cartridge
Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices; aircraft and
munitions support and support equipment; spare parts,
consumables and accessories, and repair and return support;
training aids, devices, and spare parts; engine Component
Improvement Program; major and minor modifications and
maintenance support; classified and unclassified software
delivery and support; classified and unclassified
publications and technical documentation; transportation,
ferry, and refueling support; personnel training and training
equipment, including simulators; clothing, textiles, and
individual equipment; studies and surveys; site surveys; U.S.
Government and engineering, technical, and logistics support
services; and other related elements of logistics and program
support. The estimated total cost is $24.3 billion.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and
national security objectives of the United States by
improving the security of a Major non-NATO Ally that is a
force for political stability and economic progress in the
Gulf Region.
The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia's capability to
deter current and future threats by strengthening its
homeland defense, and improving interoperability with U.S.
forces, and other regional and NATO forces. The proposed sale
will also augment Saudi Arabia's operational aircraft and
enhance its air-to-air, and air-to-ground self-defense
capability. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 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 military balance in the region.
The principal contractors will be Lockheed Martin
Aeronautics Company, located in Fort Worth, TX; and Pratt &
Whitney Military Engines, located in East Hartford, CT. 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 contractor.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the
assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor
representatives to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 26-69
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 F-35 aircraft is a single seat, single engine, all-
weather, stealth, fifth-generation, multirole aircraft. It
contains sensitive technology including the low observable
airframe and outer mold line (OML), the Pratt and Whitney
F135 Engine, AN/APG-81 radar,
[[Page S4977]]
an integrated core processor central computer, a mission
system and electronic warfare suite, a multiple sensor suite,
technical data, documentation, and associated software.
Sensitive elements of the F-35 are also included in
operational flight and maintenance trainers. Sensitive and
classified elements of the F-35 aircraft include hardware,
accessories, components, and associated software for the
following major subsystems:
a. The Pratt and Whitney F135 Engine is a single 40,000-
pound thrust class engine designed for the F-35 and assures
highly reliable, affordable performance. The engine is
designed to be utilized in all F-35 variants, providing
unmatched commonality and supportability throughout the
worldwide base of F-35 users.
b. The AN/APG-81 Active Electronically Scanned Array is a
high processing power/high transmission power electronic
array capable of detecting air and ground targets from a
greater distance than mechanically scanned array radars. It
also contains a synthetic aperture radar, which creates high-
resolution ground maps and provides weather data to the
pilot, and provides air and ground tracks to the mission
system, which uses it as a component to fuse sensor data.
c. The Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) provides
long-range detection and tracking as well as an infrared
search and track and forward-looking infrared capability for
precision tracking, weapons delivery and bomb damage
assessment. The EOTS replaces multiple separate internal or
podded systems typically found on legacy aircraft.
d. The Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System (EODAS)
provides the pilot with full spherical coverage for air-to-
air and air-to-ground threat awareness, day and night vision
enhancements, a fire control capability and precision
tracking of wingmen and friendly aircraft. The EODAS provides
data directly to the pilot's helmet as well as the mission
system.
e. The F-35 Electronic Warfare (EW) system is a
reprogrammable, integrated system that provides radar warning
and electronic support measures along with a fully integrated
countermeasures system. The EW system is the primary
subsystem used to enhance situational awareness, targeting
support and self-defense through the search, intercept,
location and identification of in-band emitters and to
automatically counter infrared and radiofrequency threats.
f. The F-35 Communications, Navigation, and Identification
(CNI) system provides the pilot with unmatched connectivity
to flight members, coalition forces and the battlefield. It
is an integrated subsystem designed to provide a broad
spectrum of secure, anti-jam voice and data communications,
precision radio navigation and landing capability, self-
identification, beyond visual range target identification and
connectivity to off-board sources of information. It also
includes an inertial navigation and global positioning system
for precise location information. The functionality is
tightly integrated within the mission system to enhance
efficiency.
g. The F-35 CNI system includes two data links: Multi-
Function Advanced Data Link (MADL) and Link 16. MADL is
designed specifically for the F-35 and allows for Low
Probability of Intercept communications between F-35s. Link
16 is a command, control, communications, and intelligence
system incorporating jam-resistant and digital communication
links for exchange of near real-time tactical information,
including data and voice, among air, ground, and sea
elements. It provides key theater functions such as
surveillance, identification, air control, weapons engagement
coordination, and direction for all services and allied
forces. Link-16 equipment allows the F-35 to communicate with
battlespace participants using widely distributed J-series
message protocols.
h. The F-35 Autonomic Logistics Global Sustainment (ALGS)
provides a fully integrated logistics management solution.
ALGS integrates a number of functional areas, including
supply chain management, repair, support equipment, engine
support and training. The ALGS infrastructure employs a
state-of-the-art information system that provides real-time,
decision-worthy information for sustainment decisions by
flight line personnel. Prognostic health monitoring
technology is integrated with the air system and is crucial
to predictive maintenance of vital components.
i. The F-35 Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS)
provides an intelligent information infrastructure that binds
all the key concepts of ALGS into an effective support
system. ALIS establishes appropriate interfaces among the F-
35 air vehicle, warfighter, training system, government
information technology systems, and supporting commercial
enterprise systems. Additionally, ALIS provides a
comprehensive tool for data collection, analysis, decision
support, and action tracking.
j. The F-35 training system includes several training
devices to provide integrated training for pilots and
maintainers. The pilot training devices include a Full
Mission Simulator and Deployable Mission Rehearsal Trainer.
The maintenance training devices include an Aircraft Systems
Maintenance Trainer, Ejection System Maintenance Trainer, OML
lab, Flexible Linear Shaped Charge Trainer, F135 Engine
Module Trainer, and Weapons Loading Trainer. The F-35
Training System can be integrated, where pilots and
maintainers learn in an Integrated Training Center.
Alternatively, the pilots and maintainers can train in
separate facilities (Pilot Training Center and Maintenance
Training Center).
k. Other subsystems, features, and capabilities include the
F-35's low observable air frame, Integrated Core Processor
Central Computer, helmet-mounted display system (HMDS), pilot
life support system (PLSS), Off-board Mission Support (OMS)
system; KOV-33, KOV-34, KOV-35, CSV-02B, KG 175F, and VIPER
phones, communication security equipment and devices,
publications and maintenance manuals. The HMDS provides a
fully sunlight readable, biocular display presentation of
aircraft information projected onto the pilot's helmet visor.
The use of a night vision camera integrated with the helmet
eliminates the need for separate night vision goggles. The
PLSS provides a measure of pilot Chemical, Biological,
Radiological, and Nuclear protection through use of an on-
board oxygen generating system (OBOGS), and an escape system
that provides additional protection to the pilot. OBOGS takes
the power and thermal management system (PTMS) air and
enriches it by removing gases (mainly nitrogen) by
adsorption, thereby increasing the concentration of oxygen in
the product gas and supplying breathable air to the pilot.
The OMS provides mission planning, mission briefing, and a
maintenance, intelligence, and tactical debriefing platform
for the F-35.
2. The AN/PYQ-10 simple key loader is a handheld device
used for securely receiving, storing, and transferring data
between compatible cryptographic and communications
equipment.
3. The KIV-78 is a cryptographic applique for
Identification Friend or Foe and can be loaded with Mode 5
classified elements.
4. The highest level of classification of information
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 system with similar or advanced
capabilities.
6. A determination has been made that Saudi Arabia 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.
7. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal have been authorized for release and export to
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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