Arms Sales Notification
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
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.
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. 0B-25. 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 22-60 of November 9, 2022. Sincerely, Michael F. Miller, Director.
Enclosure. Transmittal No. 0B-25 Report of Enhancement or Upgrade of Sensitivity of Technology or Capability (Sec. 36(b)(5)(A), AECA)
(i) Purchaser: Government of Lithuania.
(ii) Sec. 36(b)(1), AECA Transmittal No.: 22-60; Date: November 9, 2022; Implementing Agency: Army.
Funding Source: National Funds and Foreign Military Financing.
(iii) Description: On November 9, 2022, Congress was notified by congressional certification transmittal number 22-60 of the possible sale, under Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, of eight (8) M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Launchers; thirty-six (36) M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Alternative Warhead (AW) Missile Pods with Insensitive Munitions Propulsion System (IMPS); thirty-six (36) M31A2 GMLRS Unitary High Explosive (HE) Missile Pods; thirty-six (36) XM403 Extended Range GMLRS (ER GMLRS) Alternative Warhead (AW) Missile Pods with IMPS; thirty-six (36) XM404 Extended Range GMLRS (ER GMLRS) Unitary Pods with IMPS; and eighteen (18) M57 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) Missile Pods. Also included were M28A2 Low Cost Reduced Range Practice Rocket (LCRRPR) pods; International Field Artillery Tactical Data System (IFATDS); battle management system Vehicle Integration Kits; ruggedized laptops;training equipment publications for HIMARS and munitions; and other related elements of program and logistics support. The estimated total value was $495 million. Major Defense Equipment (MDE) constituted $440 million of this total.
This transmittal reports the correction of the previous designation of the International Field Artillery Tactical Data System (IFATDS) from non-MDE to MDE. Because reporting the quantity of MDE items is required, this transmittal also reports the quantity of eighteen (18) for the IFATDS. The following non-MDE items will also be included: communications equipment, including AN/PRC-160 and AN/PRC-167 radios and associated accessories and training; Defense Advanced Global Positioning System (GPS) Receivers (DAGRs); AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders; and other related elements of program and logistics support. The estimated total cost of the new items is $21.5 million. The estimated total cost of the new MDE items is $11.5 million, but will not result in a net increase in total cost of MDE, which will remain at $440 million. The estimated total cost of new non-MDE items is $10 million, but will not result in a net increase in total cost of non-MDE, which will remain at $55 million. The estimated total case value will remain at $495 million.
(iv) Significance: This report corrects an error included in the original notification and includes additional non-MDE items that increase the sensitivity of technology. The proposed sale will improve Lithuania's capability to deter current and future threats to support coalition operations, as well as promote its interoperability with United States and other NATO forces.
(v) Justification: This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a NATO Ally that is an important force for ensuring peace and stability in Europe.
(vi) Sensitivity of Technology: The IFATDS is a multi- service (U.S. Army and Marine Corps) automated, expert decision support system used for command, control, communications, and integration and synchronization of fires on ground targets during all phases of military conflict. The IFATDS provides the automated tools that significantly augment the capability of fire support coordinators, fire support asset commanders, and their respective staffs at every echelon during the planning and execution of fire support on dynamic battlefields.
The AN/PRC-160 radio is a tactical wideband high frequency (HF)/very high frequency (VHF) transceiver providing Type 1 encryption and Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) GPS location and timing capabilities. The system operates at variable frequencies and uses various standard waveforms.
The AN/PRC-167 is a multi-domain multi-channel tactical narrow and wide-band dual transceiver radio system providing Type 1 encryption and SAASM GPS location and timing capabilities. Each transceiver is software programmable and operates at variable frequencies and uses various standard waveforms.
The DAGR is a small commercial Navigation Satellite Timing and Ranging (NAVSTAR) GPS receiver designed for military operations. The Selective Availability/Anti Spoofing Module (SAASM) is a security device controlling the encryption that enables Precise Positioning Service (PPS) and resists adversary attempts to spoof GPS signals. The DAGR with SAASM will provide position and location information necessary for ground-based operations.
The Simple Key Loader (SKL) is a ruggedized and portable hand-held device for securely receiving, storing, and transferring data between compatible cryptographic and communications equipment.
The highest level of classification of defense articles, components, and services included in this potential sale is SECRET.
(vii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: April 24, 2025.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source