[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 12 (Thursday, January 18, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2623-2625]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00764]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 17-69]


Arms Sales Notification

AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Arms sales notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text 
of an arms sales notification.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela Young, (703) 697-9107, 
[email protected] or Kathy Valadez, (703) 697-9217, 
[email protected]; DSCA/DSA-RAN.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 36(b)(1) arms sales notification is 
published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-
164 dated July 21, 1996. The following is a copy of a letter to the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Transmittal 17-69 with 
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: January 12, 2018.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
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Transmittal No. 17-69
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: Government of Japan
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *................  $123.0 million
Other....................................  $ 10.3 million
                                          ------------------------------
    Total................................  $133.3 million
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Four (4) Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA Missiles
Non-MDE:
Also included are four (4) MK 29 missile canisters, U.S. Government and 
contractor representatives' technical assistance, transportation, 
engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements 
of logistical and program support.
    (iv) Military Department: Navy (JA-P-ATB)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None
    (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 Attached Annex
    (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: January 9, 2018
    * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Japan--Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA Missiles

    The Government of Japan has requested a possible sale of four (4) 
Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA missiles. Also included are four 
(4) MK 29 missile canisters, U.S. Government and contractor 
representatives' technical assistance, transportation, engineering and 
logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical 
and program support. The estimated total case value is $133.3 million.
    This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and 
national security of the United States by improving the security of a 
major ally that has been, and continues to be, a force for political 
stability and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region.
    The proposed sale will provide Japan with an increased ballistic 
missile defense capability to assist in defending the Japanese homeland 
and U.S. personnel stationed there. Japan will have no difficulty 
absorbing these additional munitions and support into the Japan 
Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF).
    The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the 
basic military balance in the region.
    The principal contractors will be Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, 
AZ (SM-3); and BAE Systems, Minneapolis, MN (MK 29). There are no known 
offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
    Implementation of this proposed sale will require annual trips to 
Japan involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for 
technical reviews, support, and oversight for approximately five years.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 17-69
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 proposed sale will involve the release of sensitive 
technology to the Government of Japan related to the Standard Missile-3 
(SM-3) Block IIA missile. The ship- or ground-launched SM-3 Block IIA 
is the most recent iteration in the SM-3 family. It has two distinct 
new features: larger rocket motors that will allow it to defend broader 
areas from ballistic missile threats; and a larger kinetic warhead. The 
kinetic warhead has been enhanced, improving the search, 
discrimination, acquisition and tracking functions, to address emerging 
threats. Once enclosed in the canister, the SM-3 Block IIA missile is 
classified CONFIDENTIAL. The optics hardware and signal processor are 
classified SECRET.
    2. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain knowledge 
of specific hardware, the information could be used to develop 
countermeasures which might reduce weapons system effectiveness or be 
used in the development of a system with similar or advanced 
capabilities.
    3. A determination has been made that Japan can provide 
substantially the same degree of protection for sensitive technology 
being released as the U.S. Government. This proposed sustainment 
program is necessary to the 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 are 
authorized for release and export to the Government of Japan.

[FR Doc. 2018-00764 Filed 1-17-18; 8:45 am]
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