[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11193-11195]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04683]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 15-61]


36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification

AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text 
of a section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification. This is published to 
fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated 
July 21, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah A. Ragan or Heather N. Harwell, 
DSCA/LMO, (703) 604-1546/(703) 607-5339.
    The following is a copy of a letter to the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, Transmittal 15-61 with attached Policy Justification 
and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: February 29, 2016.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.

[[Page 11194]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN03MR16.002

Transmittal No. 15-61
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 Thailand
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *...............  $18,570,385
Other...................................  $ 8,373,060
                                         -------------------------------
  TOTAL.................................  $26,943,445
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
    Major Defense Equipment (MDE) includes:
    Sixteen (16) Evolved Seasparrow Missiles (ESSM) (Fourteen (14) 
tactical missiles and two (2) telemetry missiles)
    Three (3) MK25 Quad Pack canisters
    Ten (10) MK783 shipping containers
    Also included with this request is additional equipment; training; 
and technical services.
    (iv) Military Department: U.S. Navy (XX-P-AKO)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: FMS case AKM--$18,186,188--29 Sep 
2014
    (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be 
Paid: None
    (vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense Article or 
Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Annex attached
    (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: 28 October 2015
    *As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act

[[Page 11195]]

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Government of Thailand--Evolved Seasparrow Missiles (ESSM)

    The Government of Thailand requested a possible sale of Major 
Defense Equipment for its Evolved Seasparrow Missile (ESSM) program. 
The total estimated value of MDE is $18,570,385. The total overall 
estimated value is $26,943,445.
    Major Defense Equipment (MDE) includes:
    Sixteen (16) Evolved Seasparrow Missiles (ESSM) (Fourteen (14) 
tactical missiles and two (2) telemetry missiles)
    Three (3) MK25 Quad Pack canisters
    Ten (10) MK783 shipping containers
    Also included with this request is additional equipment; training; 
and technical services.
    This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and 
national security of the United States by increasing the ability of 
Thailand to contribute to regional security and improving 
interoperability with the U.S. Navy.
    Thailand will use the ESSM to provide ship battlespace self-defense 
and firepower, which will improve its capability to meet current and 
future naval threats.
    The proposed sale of these equipment and support will not alter the 
basic military balance in the region.
    The principal contractors are:
    Raytheon Missile Systems (RMS), Tucson, Arizona
    BAE Systems, Aberdeen, South Dakota
    SAAB, 9LV MK4 Combat Management System, Sweden
    Lockheed Martin, Baltimore, MD
    There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with 
this potential sale.
    Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the 
assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor 
representatives to Thailand.
    There is no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of 
this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 15-61
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. This sale will involve the release of sensitive technology to 
Thailand. The Evolved Seasparrow missile weapons system is classified 
up to CONFIDENTIAL. The missile includes the guidance section, warhead 
section, transition section, propulsion section, control section and 
Thrust Vector Control (TVC), of which the guidance section and 
transition section are classified CONFIDENTIAL. Documentation to be 
provided to Thailand includes:
    a. Parametric documents (CONFIDENTIAL)
    b. Missile Handling/Maintenance Procedures (UNCLASSIFIED only)
    c. General Performance Data (CONFIDENTIAL)
    d. Firing Guidance (CONFIDENTIAL)
    e. Dynamics Information (CONFIDENTIAL)
    2. The sale of the Evolved Seasparrow Missiles under this FMS case 
will result in the transfer of sensitive technological information and 
or/restricted information contained in the missile guidance section. 
Certain operating frequencies and performance characteristics are 
classified SECRET because they could be used to develop tactics and/or 
countermeasures that might reduce weapon system effectiveness.
    3. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain knowledge 
of the specific hardware and software elements, primarily performance 
characteristics, engagement algorithms and transmitter specific 
frequencies, the information could be used to develop countermeasures 
which might reduce weapon system effectiveness.
    4. A determination has been made that Thailand 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.
    5. All of the defense articles and services listed in this 
transmittal have been authorized for release and export to the 
Government of Thailand.

[FR Doc. 2016-04683 Filed 3-2-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P