[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 17, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15148-15150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-05381]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 19-75]


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: Karma Job at [email protected] 
or (703) 697-8976.

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 19-75 with 
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: March 10, 2020.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN17MR20.000

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Transmittal No. 19-75
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 the Netherlands
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *................  $75 million
Other....................................  $10 million
                                          ------------------------------
  Total..................................  $85 million
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
    Major Defense Equipment (MDE):

Sixteen (16) MK-48 Mod 7 Advanced Technology (AT) Torpedo Conversion 
Kits

    Non-MDE:

Also included are spare parts, containers, associated hardware, torpedo 
handling equipment, and cables; U.S. Government and contractor 
engineering, technical, and

[[Page 15150]]

logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and 
program support.

    (iv) Military Department: Navy (NE-P-LHC A5)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: NE-P-LHC
    (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: February 25, 2020
    *As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Netherlands--MK-48 Torpedo Conversion Kits

    The Government of the Netherlands has requested to buy sixteen (16) 
MK-48 Mod 7 Advanced Technology (AT) torpedo conversion kits. Also 
included are spare parts, containers, associated hardware, torpedo 
handling equipment, and cables; U.S. Government and contractor 
engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other 
related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated 
program cost is $85 million.
    This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national 
security of the United States by helping to improve security of a NATO 
ally which is an important force for political stability and economic 
progress in Northern Europe.
    The Netherlands desires to upgrade additional MK 48 Mod 4 torpedoes 
to the MK 48 Mod 7 AT model. They intend to use the MK 48 Mod 7 AT 
torpedo on their Walrus Class submarines. The Netherlands will have no 
difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
    The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the basic 
military balance in the region.
    The prime contractor will be Raytheon Company, Portsmouth, RI. The 
Netherlands may require offset agreements in connection with this 
potential sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations 
between the Purchaser and the prime contractor.
    Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the 
assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor 
representatives to the Netherlands. Travel of U.S. Government or 
contractor representatives to the Netherlands on a temporary basis for 
program technical support and management oversight will be required.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 19-75
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 Mod 7 configuration is the United States Navy's most capable 
submarine launched torpedo. It has a new sonar receiver that has a 
broader bandwidth capability than previous versions, and also employs a 
new tactical processor that has increased memory and throughput. The 
Mod 7AT configuration has the same guidance and control system and the 
same software as the Mod 7. However, it employs the Mod 4M afterbody 
which results in higher radiated noise.
    2. 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 weapon system 
effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with similar or 
advanced capabilities.
    3. A determination has been made that the Netherlands can provide 
substantially the same degree of protection for the 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 as outlined in the Policy Justification.
    4. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal 
have been authorized for release and export to the Netherlands.

[FR Doc. 2020-05381 Filed 3-16-20; 8:45 am]
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