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. 25-30, concerning the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Government of Kuwait for defense services estimated to cost $325 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. 25-30 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 Kuwait.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment * $0 million.
Other $325 million.
Total $325 million.
Funding Source: National Funds.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase: The Government of Kuwait has requested to buy equipment and services related to sustainment support for legacy M1A2 and new M1A2K Abrams main battle tank systems.
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
None.
Non-Major Defense Equipment: The following non-MDE items will be included: repair parts; spare parts; replacement materials; and other related elements of logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Army (KU-B-UZE).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: KU-B-JAT; KU-B-UXA.
(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: June 4, 2025.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act. policy justification Kuwait--M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank System Sustainment Support
The Government of Kuwait has requested to buy equipment and services related to sustainment support for legacy M1A2 and new M1A2K Abrams main battle tank systems. The following non- MDE items will be included: repair parts; spare parts; replacement materials; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $325 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the infrastructure of a major non-NATO ally that has been an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
The proposed sale will improve Kuwait's capability to meet current and future threats by assisting it in maintaining higher levels of operational readiness while meeting its modernization and professionalization goals. Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor will be General Dynamics Land Systems, located in Sterling Heights, MI. 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 any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Kuwait.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
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