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)(5)(C) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), as amended, we are forwarding Transmittal No. 25-0T. 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 15-62 of November 19, 2015. Sincerely, Michael F. Miller, Director.

Enclosure. Transmittal No. 25-0T Report of Enhancement or Upgrade of Sensitivity of Technology or Capability (Sec. 36(b)(5)(C), AECA)

(i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Japan.

(ii) Sec. 36(b)(1), AECA Transmittal No.: 15-62. Date: November 19, 2015, Military Department: Air Force.

(iii) Description: On November 19, 2015, Congress was notified by congressional certification transmittal number 15-62 of the possible sale, under Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, of three (3) RQ-4 Block 30 (I) Global Hawk Remotely Piloted Aircraft with Integrated Sensor Suite (EISS); eight (8) Kearfott Inertial Navigation System/ Global Positioning System (INS/GPS) units (2 per aircraft with 2 spares); and eight (8) LN-251 INS/GPS units (2 per aircraft with 2 spares). Also included were operational-level sensor and aircraft test equipment, ground support equipment, operational flight test support, communications equipment, spare and repair parts, personnel training, publications and technical data, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The total estimated case value was $1.2 billion. Major Defense Equipment (MDE) constituted $689 million of this total.

On April 4, 2016, Congress was notified by congressional certification transmittal number 0J-16 of the inclusion of two Ground Control Elements (GCE). The GCEs were not enumerated as MDE in the original notification of the Global Hawk RPA system. The total cost of the new MDE items was $31 million, increasing the total estimated MDE value to $720 million. The total estimated case value remained $1.2 billion.

On April 4, 2022, Congress was notified by congressional certification transmittal number 0C-22 of the inclusion of the following additional MDE items: five (5) Kearfott INS/ GPS; and two (2) LN-251 INS/GPS. Also included was hardware and software integration support. The total estimated MDE value remained $720 million. The total estimated case value remained $1.2 billion.

This transmittal notifies the inclusion of the following non-MDE items: Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) services; the Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS); classified and unclassified software delivery and support; maps, publications, and technical documentation; transportation support; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total value of the new items is $1.61 billion. The estimated non-MDE value will increase by $1.61 billion to $2.09 billion. The estimated MDE value will remain at $720 million. The total case value will increase by $1.61 billion, resulting in a revised estimated total case value of $2.81 billion.

(iv) Significance: This proposed sale will significantly enhance Japan's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and help ensure Japan is able to continue to monitor and deter regional threats.

(v) Justification: 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 Indo-Pacific region.

(vi) Sensitivity of Technology:

The Sensitivity of Technology Statement contained in the original notification applies to other items reported here.

The highest level of classification of defense articles, components, and services included in this potential sale is SECRET.

(vii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: June 6, 2025.

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