September 29, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 169 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session
All in Senate sectionPrev75 of 137Next
ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 169
(Senate - September 29, 2020)
Text available as:
Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Pages S5936-S5937] 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 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)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 20-63 concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Government of Japan for defense articles and services estimated to cost $55.311 million. After this letter is delivered to your office, we plan to issue a news release to notify the public of this proposed sale. Sincerely, (For Heidi H. Grant, Director). Enclosures. Transmittal No. 20-63 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 Japan. (ii) Total Estimated Value: Major Defense Equipment* $50.311 million. Other $ 5.000 million. Total $55.311 million. (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase: Major Defense Equipment (MDE): Up to fifty-one (51) Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) Block 2 Tactical Missiles, RIM-116C. Non-MDE: Also included are RAM Guided Missile Round Pack Tri-Pack shipping and storage containers, operator manuals and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. (iv) Military Department: Navy (JA-P-AUF). (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: JA-P-ATK. (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: September 28, 2020. * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act. POLICY JUSTIFICATION Japan--RAM Block 7 Tactical Missiles The Government of Japan has requested to buy up to fifty- one (51) Rolling Airframe [[Page S5937]] Missiles (RAM) Block 2 Tactical Missiles, RIM-116C. Also included are RAM Guided Missile Round Pack Tri-Pack shipping and storage containers, operator manuals and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $55.311 million. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region. It is vital to U.S. national interest to assist Japan in developing and maintaining a strong and effective self- defense capability. These RAM Block 2 Tactical missiles will provide significantly enhanced area defense capabilities over critical East Asian and Western Pacific air and sea-lines of communication. Japan will have no difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The prime contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense Company, Tucson, AZ. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this sale will not require the assignment of U.S. Government or contractor representatives in Japan. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. Transmittal No. 20-63 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 RIM-116C Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) is an autonomous (i.e., ``fire and forget'') lightweight, supersonic, surface-to-air tactical missile for ship self- defense against current and evolving anti-ship cruise missile threats. Advanced technology in the RIM-116C includes dual- mode RF/IR (radio frequency/infrared) guidance with IR all- the-way capability for non-emitting threats. 2. The Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) is a product of a cooperative program with Germany and has been executed, since 1976, under a series of governing Memoranda of Understanding/ Memoranda of Agreements (MOU/MOAs) for the development, production, and in-service support between the United States and Germany. 3. The highest level of classification of information included in this potential sale is CONFIDENTIAL. 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 Japan can provide substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive technology being released as the U.S. Government. This sale is necessary in furthering 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 Japan. ____________________
All in Senate sectionPrev75 of 137Next