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.
Department of State, Washington, DC. CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION TRANSMITTAL LETTER
Please find enclosed the following notification from the Department of State.
Department Notification Number: RSAT 0E-26.
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. 0E-26. 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 23-33 of July 7, 2023.
Recipients:
Speaker of the House of Representatives
House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Sincerely, Kaitlyn Wolfe, Senior Bureau Official, Bureau of Legislative Affairs. Transmittal No. RSAT 0E-26 Report of Enhancement or Upgrade of Sensitivity of Technology or Capability (Sec. 36(B)(5)(A), AECA)
(i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Sweden.
(ii) Sec. 36(b)(1), AECA Transmittal No.: 23-33; Date: July 7, 2023; Implementing Agency: Air Force.
(iii) Description: On July 7, 2023, Congress was notified by congressional certification transmittal number 23-33 of the possible sale, under Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, of up to two hundred fifty (250) AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM); and up to six (6) AMRAAM C-8 guidance sections. Also included were spare AIM-120 control sections and containers; AMRAAM test set telemetry kits; encryption devices; munitions support and support equipment; classified software delivery and support; spare parts, consumables, and accessories; repair and return support; transportation support; classified publications and technical documentation; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor technical engineering, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost was $605 million. Major defense equipment (MDE) constituted $530 million of this total.
This transmittal notifies the following additional MDE items: ten (10) AIM 120C-8 AMRAAM air-instrumented vehicles. The following non-MDE items will also be included: AMRAAM training missiles; KGV-135A encryption devices; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total value of the new items is $25 million. The estimated total cost of the new MDE items is $24 million and does not result in a net increase in total cost of MDE. The estimated total MDE cost remains $530 million. The estimated total cost of the new non-MDE items is $1 million and does not result in a net increase in total cost of non-MDE. The total non-MDE cost remains $75 million. The total case value does not increase and remains $605 million.
(iv) Significance: This notification accounts for requested additional MDE and non-MDE items not included in the original notification. The inclusion of this MDE represents an increase in capability over what was previously notified. The proposed articles and services will support Sweden's capability to meet and deter current and future threats in the region by ensuring Sweden has modern, capable air-to-air munitions. The proposed sale will further advance the Swedish Air Force interoperability with U.S. joint forces and other regional and NATO forces.
(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 NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.
(vi) Sensitivity of Technology:
The AIM 120C-8 AMRAAM air-instrumented vehicle is a live launch test vehicle used primarily for flight test integration with a rocket motor and instrumentation unit in place of a warhead. The AIM 120C-8 AMRAAM air-instrumented vehicle verifies and assesses the ability to safely launch an AMRAAM and validate the missile's performance.
The KGV-135A communications device is a high-speed general purpose encryptor and decryptor module used for wideband data encryption.
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 22, 2026.
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