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)(A) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), as amended, we are forwarding Transmittal No. 0G-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 22-17 of June 22, 2022. Sincerely, Michael F. Miller, Director.
Enclosure. transmittal no. 0G-25 Report of Enhancement or Upgrade of Sensitivity of Technology or Capability (Sec. 36(b)(5)(A), AECA)
(i) Prospective Purchaser: NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) as Lead Nation for Belgium) Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom
(ii) Sec. 36(b)(1), AECA Transmittal No.: 22-17; Date: June 22, 2022; Implementing Agency: Air Force.
Funding Source: National Funds.
(iii) Description: On June 22, 2022, Congress was notified by congressional certification transmittal number 22-17 of the possible sale, under Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, of two hundred thirty-nine (239) GBU-39/B small diameter bombs, Increment I; two hundred four (204) FMU-152 fuzes; two hundred four (204) Mk 82 500 lb general purpose bombs; and fifty (50) BLU-109 2000 lb hard-target-penetrator bombs, that will be added to a previously implemented case. The original FMS case, valued at $1.87 million, included forty (40) GBU-39/B small diameter bombs, Increment I. Therefore, this notification was for a total of two hundred seventy-nine (279) GBU-39/B small diameter bombs, Increment I; two hundred four (204) FMU-152 fuzes; two hundred four (204) Mk 82 500 lb general purpose bombs; and fifty (50) BLU- 109 2000 lb hard-target-penetrator bombs. Also included were smoke signal cartridges; engineering and technical support and assistance; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated cost was $22.7 million. Major Defense Equipment (MDE) constituted $21.8 million of this total.
This transmittal reports the inclusion of the following additional MDE items: fifty (50) GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs, Increment I (SDB-I); and one hundred sixty-four (164) BLU-109 2000 lb hard-target-penetrator bombs. The following non-MDE items will also be included: GBU-39/B Tactical Training Rounds (TTR); cartridges, chaff, and flares; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total value of the new items is 815.1 million. The estimated MDE value will increase by $12.1 million. The estimated non-MDE value will increase by $3.0 million to a revised $3.9 million. The estimated total case value will increase by $15.1 million to a revised $37.8 million. MDE will constitute $33.9 million of this total.
(iv) Significance: This notification is being provided because the additional MDE items were not enumerated in the original notification. The proposed sale will improve NATO's capability to meet current and future ground threats with precision. NATO will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats, and to increase interoperability within contingency operations.
(v) Justification: This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of NATO partners that are a force for political stability and economic progress in the North Atlantic region.
(vi) Sensitivity of Technology: The GBU-39/B Tactical Training Round (TTR) is identical to a live tactical weapon, except that the live warhead is replaced with an inert fill. The TTR functions the same as a GBU-39/B. The TTR is suited for training missions.
The Sensitivity of Technology statement contained in the original notification applies to additional 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: July 10, 2025.
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