[Pages S1796-S1797]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION

  Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control 
Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain 
proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, 
the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be 
reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the 
notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the 
Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
  In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant 
information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous 
consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been 
received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such 
an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign 
Relations Committee, room SD-423.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                                  Defense Security
                                               Cooperation Agency,
                                                   Washington, DC.
     Hon. James E. Risch,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to the reporting requirements 
     of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as 
     amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 24-127, 
     concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and 
     Acceptance to the Government of Australia for defense 
     articles and services estimated to cost $165 million. We will 
     issue a news release to notify the public of this proposed 
     sale upon delivery of this letter to your office.
           Sincerely,
                                                Michael F. Miller,
                                                         Director.
       Enclosures.


                         Transmittal No. 24-127

     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 $165 million.
       Total $165 million.
       (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
     Services under Consideration for Purchase:
       Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
       None.
       Non-Major Defense Equipment:
       The following non-MDE items will be included: MJU-61 decoy 
     flares; MJU-64 decoy flares; MJU-66 flare countermeasures; 
     MJU-76 flare countermeasures; RR-198A/L chaff cartridges; 
     CCU-145/A impulse cartridges; other support equipment (MK-3 
     pallet); U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance; 
     and other related elements of logistics and program support.
       (iv) Military Department: Navy (AT-P-ASW).
       (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: AT-P-AEC, AT-P-AEF, AT-P-
     ADY, AT-P-AMG, AT-P-ANZ, and AT-P-AVD.
       (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: March 18, 2025.
       * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control 
     Act.


                          POLICY JUSTIFICATION

       Australia--Countermeasures, Chaff, and Impulse Cartridges

       The Government of Australia has requested to buy MJU-61 
     decoy flares; MJU-64 decoy flares; MJU-66 flare 
     countermeasures; MJU-76 flare countermeasures; RR-198A/L 
     chaff cartridges; CCU-145/A impulse cartridges; other support 
     equipment (MK-3 pallet); U.S. Government and contractor 
     technical assistance; and other related elements of logistics 
     and program support. The estimated total cost is $165 
     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 Western Pacific. It is vital to the U.S. 
     national interest to assist our ally

[[Page S1797]]

     in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense 
     capability.
       The proposed sale will improve Australia's capability to 
     meet current and future threats by protecting and increasing 
     aircraft survivability. Australia will have no difficulty 
     absorbing this equipment 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 contractors will be Kilgore Flares Company, 
     LLC, located in Toone, TN; Armtec Countermeasures Company, 
     located in Coachella, CA; Alloy Surface Company, Inc, located 
     in Aston, PA; Chemring Australia PTY LTD, located in Lara, 
     Australia; and CCI Capco LLC, located in Grand Junction, CO. 
     At this time, the U.S. Government is not aware of any offset 
     agreement proposed in connection with this potential sale. 
     Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between 
     the purchaser and the contractor.
       Implementation of this proposed sale will require three 
     U.S. Government personnel and one contractor representatives 
     to visit Australia on a temporary basis in conjunction with 
     program technical oversight and support requirements, 
     including program and technical reviews.
       There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness 
     as a result of this proposed sale.


                         Transmittal No. 24-127

     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. Chaff and flare countermeasure systems are critical 
     defensive technologies designed to protect tactical aircraft 
     from enemy threats. Chaff consists of dispersed metallic or 
     conductive strips that generate false radar reflections, 
     confusing enemy radar systems and reducing the probability of 
     a successful radar-guided missile engagement. Flare systems 
     deploy intense infrared-emitting devices to counteract and 
     mislead missiles and tracking systems, diverting them away 
     from the aircraft. These countermeasures collectively enhance 
     the aircraft's defensive capabilities by impairing enemy 
     targeting systems. For training purposes, pilots use 
     simulated chaff and flare systems to practice the deployment 
     and effectiveness of these defensive measures in combat 
     scenarios.
       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 system effectiveness or be used in the 
     development of a system with similar or advanced 
     capabilities.
       4. 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 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 Australia.

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