[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 29, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85611-85613]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28633]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 20-78]


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 20-78 with 
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: December 21, 2020.
Kayyonne T. Marston,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
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[[Page 85612]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN29DE20.404

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Transmittal No. 20-78
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 Australia
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *...............  $0
Other...................................  $132.2 million
                                         -------------------------------
    Total...............................  $132.2 million
 

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

Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
    None
Non-MDE:
    M825A1 155mm White Phosphorous projectile munitions, M782 Multi-
Option Fuze for Artillery, M762A1 electronic-timed fuzes, M231 and 
M232A2 propelling charges, percussion primers, technical publications 
and books, technical data for operational maintenance, technical 
assistance and services, and other related elements of logistics and 
program support.

    (iv) Military Department: Army (AT-B-ULC)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: AT-B-UGN
    (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be 
paid: None
    (vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense Article or

[[Page 85613]]

Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Attached Annex
    (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: December 4, 2020

    * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Government of Australia--155mm Ammunition and Accessories

    The Government of Australia has requested to buy M825A1 155mm White 
Phosphorous projectile munitions, M782 Multi-Option Fuze for Artillery, 
M762A1 electronic-timed fuzes, M231 and M232A2 propelling charges, 
percussion primers, technical publications and books, technical data 
for operational maintenance, technical assistance and services, and 
other related elements of logistics and program support. The total 
estimated program cost is $132.2 million.
    This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national 
security objectives of the United States. Australia is one of our most 
important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this 
political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring 
peace and economic stability in the region.
    This purchase will enable effective training and extend the 
Australian Defence Force's (ADF) capability to conduct combined 
operations. The ADF already has these rounds in service, and is trained 
and equipped to use them. Australia will not have any difficulty 
absorbing these weapons 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 determined at a later date. The 
material could potentially be sourced from a combination of DoD stocks 
and new procurement. There are no known offset agreements proposed in 
connection with this potential sale.
    Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the 
assignment of U.S. Government or contractor representatives to 
Australia.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 20-78
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section 
36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act
Annex
Item No. vii
    (vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
    1. The M825A1 is a 155mm artillery projectile which utilizes a 
payload of white phosphorous impregnated felt to produce a smoke screen 
at a target location. The Government of Australia has stated their 
commitment to use these rounds exclusively for its intended purpose, 
which is to provide signaling and to obscure enemy visibility on the 
battlefield.
    2. The M782 Multi-Option Fuze for Artillery (MOFA). The M782 is a 
selectable multi-option fuze that provides height of burst capability 
to artillery rounds. The M782 is a sensitive military technology and 
has been approved for release to the Government of Australia.
    3. Also included in this case are propelling charges and other 
fuzes that enable the effective use of the M825A1 end item. While these 
technologies are controlled military hardware they do not represent a 
significant technology transfer risk.
    4. The highest level of classified information associated with the 
sale of this equipment is SECRET.
    5. If a technologically advanced adversary obtains knowledge of the 
specific hardware and software elements, the information could be used 
to develop countermeasures or equivalent systems that might reduce 
weapon system effectiveness or be used in the development of a system 
with similar or advanced capabilities.
    6. A determination has been made that Australia can provide 
substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive 
technology being released as the U.S. Government. This proposed sale is 
necessary to further the U.S. foreign policy and national security 
objectives outlined in the Policy Justification.
    7. All defense articles and services listed on this transmittal are 
authorized for release and export to the Government of Australia.

[FR Doc. 2020-28633 Filed 12-28-20; 8:45 am]
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