[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 14, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41955-41957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-10472]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 22-04]


Arms Sales Notification

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

ACTION: Arms sales notice.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neil Hedlund at 
[email protected] or (703) 697-9214.

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 22-04 with 
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: May 8, 2024.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
BILLING CODE 6001-FR-P

[[Page 41956]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14MY24.117

BILLING CODE 6001-FR-C
Transmittal No. 22-04
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 Bahrain
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

 
 
 
Major Defense Equipment *.............................       $ 0 million
Other.................................................   $175.98 million
                                                       -----------------
    TOTAL.............................................   $175.98 million
 

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

Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
    None
Non-MDE:
    Upgrade nine (9) M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) to M270 
A1 minimum configuration. The upgrade will include: the Common Fire 
Control System (CFCS); Improved Launcher Mechanical System (ILMS); 600h 
Engine and associated engine compartment modifications; Improved 
Electronics Distribution Box (IEDB); fan speed control valve; cables 
and mounting hardware, Power Take Off (PTO) and BOO series 
transmission; the Digital Communication Systems (DCOMMS); and Vehicular

[[Page 41957]]

Intercom System (AN/VIC-3). In addition, the effort will include two 
(2) years spare parts; Operator and Maintenance Training Course' 
Contractor Logistics Support; U.S. Government engineering support; 
support and test equipment; integration and test support, software 
delivery and support; publications and technical documentation; 
technical and logistics support services; storage; and other related 
elements of logistical and program support.
    (iv) Military Department: Army (BA-B-ULJ)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: BA-B-JAH, BA-B-UEP, BA-B-UIW
    (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: March 24, 2022
    * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Bahrain--M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) Upgrade

    The Government of Bahrain has requested to buy upgrades to nine (9) 
M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) to a M270 A1 minimum 
configuration. The upgrade will include: the Common Fire Control System 
(CFCS); Improved Launcher Mechanical System (ILMS); 600h Engine and 
associated engine compartment modifications; Improved Electronics 
Distribution Box (IEDB); fan speed control valve; cables and mounting 
hardware, Power Take Off (PTO) and BOO series transmission; the Digital 
Communication Systems (DCOMMS); and Vehicular Intercom System (AN/VIC-
3). In addition, the effort will include two (2) years spare parts; 
Operator and Maintenance Training Course' Contractor Logistics Support; 
U.S. Government engineering support; support and test equipment; 
integration and test support, software delivery and support; 
publications and technical documentation; technical and logistics 
support services; storage; and other related elements of logistical and 
program support. The estimated total cost is $175.98 million.
    This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national 
security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a 
Major Non-NATO Ally that is an important force for political stability 
and economic progress in the Middle East.
    The proposed sale will improve Bahrain's capability to meet current 
and future threats by enhancing Bahrain's ability to defend itself 
against regional malign actors and improve interoperability with 
systems operated by U.S. forces and other Gulf countries. Bahrain's 
continued investment in its defensive capabilities is crucial to 
protecting its borders, energy infrastructure, and its residents, 
including over 15,000 U.S. citizens and Naval personnel living and 
working in the country. Bahrain will have no difficulty absorbing these 
upgraded MLRSs 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 the Lockheed Martin Corporation, 
Bethesda, 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 Bahrain.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 22-04
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 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) is a high-mobility 
automatic system based on an M270 weapons platform. The MLRS fires 
surface-to-surface rockets: the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) 
and the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS). Without leaving 
the cab, the crew of three (driver, gunner and section chief) can fire 
up to 12 MLRS rockets in fewer than 60 seconds.
    2. The highest level of classification of defense articles, 
components, and services included in this potential sale is SECRET.
    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 Government of Bahrain 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 Government of 
Bahrain.

[FR Doc. 2024-10472 Filed 5-13-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6001-FR-P