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. 25-0M. 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 24-60 of September 24, 2024. Sincerely, Mary Beth Morgan (for Michael F. Miller, Director).

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

(i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Iraq.

(ii) Sec. 36(b)(1), AECA Transmittal No: 24-60; Date: September 24, 2024; Military Department: Navy.

Funding Source: Foreign Military Financing.

(iii) Description: On September 24, 2024, Congress was notified by congressional certification transmittal number 24-60 of the possible sale, under Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, of the follow-on technical support (FOTS) for Iraq's vessel maintenance and repair (VMR) program, which may include ship repair; maintenance; sustainment; support services; repair; upgrades; overhaul services; associated labor and support; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services of off-shore vessels, patrol boats and defenders of U.S. origin; fuel for quarterly trilateral exercises; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost was $65 million. There was no Major Defense Equipment (MDE) associated with this sale.

This transmittal notifies the addition of the following non-MDE items: continued follow-on technical support (FOTS) for Iraq's vessel maintenance and repair program, including off-shore vessels, patrol boats, and defenders; all shore ship repair, maintenance, sustainment, support services, repairs, upgrades, overhaul services, associated labor, and support for vessels of U.S. origin in the Iraq Navy fleet; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost of the new non-MDE items is $135 million. The estimated non-MDE and total case values will increase by $135 million to a revised $200 million. There is no MDE associated with this potential sale.

(iv) Significance: The proposed sale will improve Iraq's ability to meet current and future threats by enhancing the strength of its homeland defense.

(v) Justification: This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner.

(vi) Date Report Delivered to Congress: October 3, 2025.

*As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

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