Arms Sales Notification
Floor Speech
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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)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended, we are forwarding herewith Transmittal No. 25-25 concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Government of the United Arab Emirates for defense services estimated to cost $130 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. 25-25 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 the United Arab Emirates
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment* $0.
Other $130 million.
Total $130 million.
Funding Source: National Funds.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase: Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case AE-D-QAM was below the congressional notification threshold at $40.9 million ($0 in MDE) and included Common Munitions Built-in-Test Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE); munitions support equipment; night vision device (NVD) support and spare equipment; spare parts, consumables, and accessories; repair and return support; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; site surveys; studies and surveys; transportation support; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The Government of the United Arab Emirates has requested that the case be amended to include additional F-16 aircraft components, spares, and accessories and other related elements of logistics and program support. This amendment will cause the case to exceed the notification threshold, and thus notification of the entire program is required. The above notification requirements are combined as follows:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE): None.
Non-Major Defense Equipment: Common Munitions Built-in-Test Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE); munitions support equipment; night vision device (NVD) support and spare equipment; spare parts, consumables and accessories; repair and return support; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; site surveys; studies and surveys; transportation support; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; aircraft components, spares, and accessories; and other related elements of logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Air Force (AE-D-QAM).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None.
(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: None.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: May 12, 2025.
*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act. Policy Justification United Arab Emirates--F-16 Sustainment
The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested to buy additional F-16 aircraft components, spares, and accessories; and other related elements of logistics and program support that will be added to a previously implemented case whose value was below the congressional notification threshold. The original Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case, valued at $40.9 million ($0 in MDE), included Common Munitions Built-in-Test Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE); munitions support equipment; night vision device (NVD) support and spare equipment; spare parts, consumables and accessories; repair and return support; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; site surveys; studies and surveys; transportation support; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services. The estimated total cost is $130 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major defense partner. The UAE is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
The proposed sale will improve the United Arab Emirates' ability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity to meet its national defense requirements. The United Arab Emirates 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.
There are no principal contractors associated with this potential sale. 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 not require the assignment of additional U.S. Government or U.S. contractor representatives to the UAE.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
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