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. 25-68, concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Government of Norway for defense articles and services estimated to cost $113 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. 25-68 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 Norway.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment* $107 million.
Other $6 million.
Total $113 million.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE): Eight hundred sixteen (816) GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs Increment I.
Non-Major Defense Equipment: The following non-MDE items will also be included: spare parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; training aids, devices, and spare parts; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications and technical data; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, logistics, and technical support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Air Force (NO-D-YAK).
(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: See Attached Annex.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: September 15, 2025.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act. POLICY JUSTIFICATION Norway--GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb Increment I
The Government of Norway has requested to buy eight hundred sixteen (816) GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs Increment I. The following non-MDE items will also be included: spare parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; training aids, devices, and spare parts; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications and technical data; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, logistics, and technical support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $113 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.
The proposed sale will improve Norway's capability to meet current and future threats and increase its interoperability with the United States and other NATO members. Norway 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 The Boeing Company, located in Arlington, VA. The purchaser typically requests offsets. 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 Norway.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. Transmittal No. 25-68 Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act Annex Item No. vii
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
1. The GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb Increment I (SDB-I) all up round is a 250-lb GPS-aided inertial navigation system with precise positioning services provided by Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module or M-Code, small autonomous, day or night, adverse weather, conventional, air- to-ground precision glide weapon able to strike fixed and stationary relocatable non-hardened targets from standoff ranges. It provides aircraft with an ability to four SDBs in place of one 2,000-lb bomb.
2. The highest level of classification of defense articles, components, and services included in this potential sale is SECRET.
3. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain knowledge of the specific hardware and software elements, the information could be used to develop countermeasures that might reduce system effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with similar or advanced capabilities.
4. A determination has been made that Norway can provide substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive technology being released as the U.S. Government. This sale is necessary in furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives outlined in the Policy Justification.
5. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal have been authorized for release and export to the Government of Norway.
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