[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 22, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83524-83526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28198]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 20-86]


Arms Sales Notification

AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense 
(DoD).

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 20-86 with 
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: December 17, 2020.
Kayyonne T. Marston,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN22DE20.013

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Transmittal No. 20-86
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: Republic of Korea
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *................   $30 million
Other....................................  $ 9 million
                                          ------------------------------
    Total................................  $39 million
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
    Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Two (2) MK 15 MOD 25 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) Block 1B 
Baseline 2 (1B2) Systems
Four thousand (4,000) Rounds, 20MM Cartridge API Linked
    Non-MDE: Also included are spare parts; other support equipment; 
ammunition; books and other publications; software; training; 
engineering technical assistance and other technical assistance; and 
other related elements of program and logistical support.
    (iv) Military Department: Navy (KS-P-LRH)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None
    (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be 
Paid: None

[[Page 83526]]

    (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: December 1, 2020
    *As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Republic of Korea--MK 15 MOD 25 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) 
Block 1B Baseline 2 (1B2) System

    The Republic of Korea has requested to buy two (2) MK 15 MOD 25 
Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) Block 1B Baseline 2 (IB2) 
systems; and four thousand (4,000) rounds, 20MM cartridge API linked. 
Also included are spare parts; other support equipment; ammunition; 
books and other publications; software; training; engineering technical 
assistance and other technical assistance; and other related elements 
of program and logistical support. The estimated total cost is $39 
million.
    This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals 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 Pacific region.
    The proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea's capability 
to meet current and future threats. Korea will use the systems aboard 
its first KDX III Batch II Class ship to provide it with effective 
means of detecting and defending itself against incoming airborne 
threats. The Republic of Korea will have no difficulty absorbing this 
equipment into its armed forces.
    The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the 
basic military balance in the region.
    The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missile and Defense, 
Louisville, KY. 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 the Republic of Korea. However, U.S. Government or 
contractor personnel in-country visits will be required on a temporary 
basis in conjunction with program technical oversight and support 
requirements, including multiple trips by U.S. Government and 
contractor representatives to participate in program and technical 
reviews, as well as to provide training and maintenance support in 
country, as required.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 20-86
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 MK 15 MOD 25 Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) consists 
of a rapid-fire computer-controlled radar and gun system mounted on a 
turret designed to defeat anti-ship missiles; small surface craft; low, 
slow aircraft; rockets and mortars. The weapons system carries out 
search, detection, target threat evaluation, tracking, firing and kill 
loop fire control that uses advanced radar and computer technology to 
locate, identify and direct a system of armor piercing projectiles to 
the target. The Phalanx Block IB Baseline 2 (1B2) Radar Upgrade Kits 
converted the system's radar from an analog to digital suite, and in 
doing so addressed significant hardware obsolescence.
    2. The highest level of classification of defense articles, 
components, and services included in this potential sale is 
CONFIDENTIAL.
    3. 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.
    4. A determination has been made that the Republic of Korea 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 defense articles and services listed in this transmittal 
have been authorized for release and export to the Republic of Korea.

[FR Doc. 2020-28198 Filed 12-21-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P