August 10, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 142 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session
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ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 142
(Senate - August 10, 2020)
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[Pages S5365-S5366] 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. 20-31 concerning the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Government of Argentina for defense article and services estimated to cost $100 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, Charles W. Hooper, Lieutenant General, USA, Director. Enclosures. Transmittal No. 20-31 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 Argentina. (ii) Total Estimated Value: Major Defense Equipment * $69 million. Other $31 million. Total $100 million. (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase: Major Defense Equipment (MDE): Twenty-seven (27) M1126 Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles. Twenty-seven (27) M2 Flex .50 Cal Machine Guns. Non-MDE: Also included are AN/VAS-5 Driver's Vision Enhancers; AN/VIC-3 Vehicle Intercom Systems; AN/VRC-91E Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS); Basic Issue Items (BIi); Components of End Items (COEI); Additional Authorized List (AAL); Special Tools and Test Equipment (STTE); M6 Smoke Grenade launchers and associated spares; Outside Continental United States (OCONUS) De- processing Service; OCONUS Contractor-provided training; Field Service Representatives (FSR); technical manuals; spare parts; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. (iv) Military Department: Army (AR-B-UYU). (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None. (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: None. (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: July 6, 2020. *As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act. POLICY JUSTIFICATION Argentina--Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles The Government of Argentina has requested to buy twenty- seven (27) M1126 Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles and twenty-seven (27) M2 Flex .50 Cal Machine Guns. Also included are AN/VAS-5 Driver's Vision Enhancers; AN/VIC-3 Vehicle Intercom Systems; AN/VRC-91E Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS); Basic Issue Items (BIi); Components of End Items (COEI); Additional Authorized List (AAL); Special Tools and Test Equipment (STTE); M6 Smoke Grenade launchers and associated spares; Outside Continental United States (OCONUS) De-processing Service; OCONUS Contractor-provided training; Field Service Representatives (FSR); technical manuals; spare parts; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated program cost is $100 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 Non-NATO Ally that is a strategic partner in South America. The proposed sale will improve Argentina's capability to meet current and future threats by increasing operational capabilities and force availability. Argentina will use the Stryker vehicles to conduct stability operations in support of disaster relief and international peace keeping obligations. Argentina will have no difficulty absorbing these vehicles into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The prime contractor will be General Dynamics Land Systems, Anniston, AL. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will require the temporary assignment of two (2) U.S. contractor representatives to Argentina to support the program. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. Transmittal No. 20-31 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 M1126 Stryker is an infantry carrier vehicle transporting nine soldiers, their mission equipment, and a crew of two, consisting of a driver and vehicle commander. It is equipped with armor protection, M2 machine guns, and M6 smoke grenade launchers for self-protection. The Stryker is an eight-wheeled vehicle powered by a 350hp diesel engine. It incorporates a central tire inflation system, run-flat tires, and a vehicle height management system. The Stryker is capable of supporting a communications suite, a Global Positioning System (GPS), and a high frequency and near-term digital radio systems. The Stryker is deployable by C-130 aircraft and combat capable upon arrival. The Stryker is capable of self-deployment by highway and self-recovery. It has a low noise level that reduces crew fatigue and enhances survivability. It moves about the battlefield quickly and is optimized for close, complex, or urban terrain. The Stryker program leverages non-developmental items with common subsystems and components to quickly acquire and filed these systems. 2. The AN/VAS-5 Driver's Vision Enhancer is a compact thermal camera providing armored vehicle drivers with day or night time visual awareness in clear or reduced vision (fog, smoke, dust) situations. The system provides the driver a 180 degree viewing angle using a high resolution infrared sensor and image stabilization to reduce the effect of shock and vibration. The viewer and monitor are ruggedized for operation in tactical environments. 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 [[Page S5366]] effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with similar or advanced capabilities. 5. A determination has been made that Argentina 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 Argentina. ____________________
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