[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 115 (Thursday, June 13, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50304-50306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12947]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 22-39]


Arms Sales Notification

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

ACTION: Arms sales notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 22-39 with 
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: June 10, 2024.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
BILLING CODE 6001-FR-P

[[Page 50305]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN13JN24.008

BILLING CODE 6001-FR-C
Transmittal No. 22-39
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 Belgium
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *...............  $ 0 million
Other...................................  $127 million
                                         -------------------------------
  TOTAL.................................  $127 million
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase: Foreign Military Sales (FMS) 
case BE-D-QBL, was below congressional notification threshold at $98.4 
million for non-MDE F-16 sustainment. The Government of Belgium has 
requested the case be amended to include additional non-Major Defense 
Equipment (non-MDE) items and services. This case amendment will 
increase the total case value above the non-MDE notification threshold 
and thus require notification of the entirety of the FMS case.

Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
    None
Non-MDE:
    Included are AN/ARC-210 radios; classified software, Computer 
Program Identification Numbers (CPINs), and software integration 
support; Electronic Warfare (EW) database support; test support and 
equipment; aircraft and munitions support and support equipment; flight 
simulator support; additional

[[Page 50306]]

hardware and software delivery and support; spare and repair parts, 
consumables and accessories; maintenance and maintenance support; 
mission planning system sustainment; facilities, utilities, and 
information technology support at U.S. Air Force bases; classified and 
unclassified publications and technical documentation; and U.S. 
Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support 
services, studies and surveys; and other related elements of logistical 
and program support.

    (iv) Military Department: Air Force (BE-D-QBL)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None
    (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be 
Paid: None known at this time
    (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: July 19, 2022
    * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Belgium--F-16 Sustainment

    The Government of Belgium has requested to buy additional F-16 
sustainment support that will be added to a previously implemented 
case. The original FMS case, valued at $98.4 million, included F-16 
sustainment, consisting of AN/ARC-210 radios; classified software, 
CPINs, and software integration support; EW database support; test 
support and equipment; aircraft and munitions support and support 
equipment; flight simulator support; additional hardware and software 
delivery and support; spare and repair parts, consumables and 
accessories; maintenance and maintenance support; mission planning 
system sustainment; facilities, utilities, and information technology 
support at U.S. Air Force bases; classified and unclassified 
publications and technical documentation; and U.S. Government and 
contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, 
studies and surveys; and other related elements of logistical and 
program support. This notification will include more of the same items 
and services. The estimated total cost is $127 million.
    This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national 
security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a 
NATO ally which is an important force for political stability and 
economic progress in Europe.
    The proposed sale will improve Belgium's capability to meet current 
and future threats by maintaining its F-16 fleet in combat-ready status 
and providing rotational forces to NATO's Eastern flank. Belgium will 
have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services 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 Lockheed Martin, 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 Belgium.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 22-39
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 AN/ARC-210 is a voice communications radio system equipped 
with HAVE QUICK II, which employs cryptographic technology. Other 
waveforms may be included as needed.
    2. The Electronic Warfare Integrated Reprogramming Database 
(EWIRDB) is used by USG engineers in the reprogramming and creation of 
shareable Mission Data Files for the AN/ALQ-131 electronic 
countermeasures pod on the F-16 aircraft.
    3. The highest level of classification of defense articles, 
components, and services included in this potential sale is SECRET.
    4. 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.
    5. A determination has been made that Belgium 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.
    6. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal 
have been authorized for release and export to the Government of 
Belgium.

[FR Doc. 2024-12947 Filed 6-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6001-FR-P