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[Page S4670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MORNING BUSINESS
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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 available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to
have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received.
If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such 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,
Arlington, VA.
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)(5)(A) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA),
as amended, we are forwarding Transmittal No. 0L-19. This
notification relates to enhancements or upgrades from the
level of sensitivity of technology or capability described in
the Section 36(b)(1) AECA certification 15-26 of April 28,
2015.
Sincerely,
Charles W. Hooper,
Lieutenant General, USA, Director.
Enclosures.
Transmittal No. 0L-19
Report of Enhancement or Upgrade of Sensitivity of Technology
or Capability (Sec. 36(b)(5)(A), AECA)
(i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Australia.
(ii) Sec. 36(b)(B)(5)(A) AECA Transmittal No.: 15-26; Date:
April 28, 2015; Military Department: Navy.
(iii) Description: On April 28, 2015, Congress was notified
by Congressional certification transmittal number 15-26 of
the possible sale under Section 36(b)(l) of the Arms Export
Control Act of follow-on sustainment support and services in
support of three (3) Hobart Class Destroyers. The sustainment
efforts include AEGIS computer software and hardware updates,
system integration and testing, tools and test equipment,
spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and
technical documentation, personnel training and training
equipment, aircrew trainer devices upgrades, U.S. Government
and contractor technical assistance, and other related
elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost
was $275 million.
This transmittal reports Australia's request to purchase
upgrade kits for their Multifunctional Information
Distribution System (MIDS) Low Volume Terminal (LVT)
equipment installed on the Hobart Class Destroyers. The MIDS
LVT Block Upgrade 2 (BU2) kits provide a suite of hardware,
software and firmware updates for the MIDS LVT units to
provide a more robust security and enhanced throughput
(higher data rate). The total case value will remain $275
million.
(iv) Significance: This proposed upgrade to the MIDS LVT
will contribute to the modernization of the Royal Australian
Navy Hobart Class destroyers, improve the Royal Australian
Navy's capability to conduct self-defense and regional
security missions, and enhance its interoperability with the
U.S. and other NATO members.
(v) Justification: The proposed sale will improve
Australia's capability in current and future coalition
efforts. Australia will use the enhanced capability as a
deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland
defense.
(vi) Sensitivity of Technology: The Multifunctional
Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminal (MIDS-
LVT) is an advanced Link-16 command, control, communications,
and intelligence (C3I) system incorporating high-capacity,
jam-resistant, digital communication links used for exchange
of near real-time tactical information, including both data
and voice, among air, ground, and sea elements. The terminal
hardware, publications, performance specifications,
operational capability, parameters, vulnerabilities to
countermeasures, and software documentation are classified
CONFIDENTIAL. The classified information to be provided
consists of that which is necessary for the operation,
maintenance, and repair (through intermediate level) of the
data link terminal, installed systems, and related software.
(vii) Date Delivered to Congress: June 27, 2019.
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