[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 194 (Monday, October 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81045-81047]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-23119]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 23-27]


Arms Sales Notification

AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense 
(DoD).

ACTION: Arms sales notice.

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SUMMARY: The DoD is publishing the unclassified text of an arms sales 
notification.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela Young at (703) 953-6092, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3b4b5a565e575a155a1542544e555c0a0f1558524d7b565a525715565257"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0d7d6c6068616c236c23746278636a3c39236e647b4d606c646123606461">[email protected]</span></a>, or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f591869694db9b9687db8786879698929881db999c8681db969b86d898978db598949c99db989c99"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a0c4d3c3c18ecec3d28ed2d3d2c3cdc7cdd48eccc9d3d48ec3ced38dcdc2d8e0cdc1c9cc8ecdc9cc">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 36(b)(1) arms sales notification is 
published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-
164 dated July 21, 1996. The following is a copy of a letter to the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives with attached Transmittal 23-
27, Policy Justification, and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: October 2, 2024.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.

[[Page 81046]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN07OC24.007

Transmittal No. 23-27
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 the Netherlands
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *................  $ 75 million
Other....................................  35 million
                                          ------------------------------
  TOTAL..................................  110 million
 

    Funding Source: National Funds.
    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase:

Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
    Up to eight (8) eight-cell MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems (VLS) 
Baseline (B/L) VII Strike Length Launcher Modules (either system or 
standalone)
Non-MDE:
    Also included are spare parts; handling equipment; transportation 
test and support equipment; software; engineering/technical assistance; 
personnel training and training equipment; documentation, publications, 
and technical data; U.S. Government and contractor technical 
assistance; and other related elements of logistics and program 
support.

    (iv) Military Department: Navy (NE-P-LIG)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: NE-P-LFN, NE-P-LAB

[[Page 81047]]

    (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be 
Paid: None
    (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: June 2, 2023

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

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Netherlands--MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS)

    The Government of the Netherlands has requested to buy up to eight 
(8) eight-cell MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems (VLS) Baseline (B/L) 
VII Strike Length Launcher Modules (either system or standalone). Also 
included are spare parts; handling equipment; transportation test and 
support equipment; software; engineering/technical assistance; 
personnel training and training equipment; documentation, publications, 
and technical data; U.S. Government and contractor technical 
assistance; and other related elements of logistics and program 
support. The total estimated program cost is $110 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 an important force for political stability and 
economic progress in Europe. It is vital to the U.S. national interest 
to assist the Netherlands in developing and maintaining a strong and 
ready self-defense capability.
    The proposed sale will provide a defensive capability for the 
Netherlands while enhancing interoperability with U.S. and other allied 
forces. The Royal Netherlands Navy intends to use the MK 41 VLS B/L VII 
strike length launcher modules for their new ship class. These modules 
are intended for ESSM BLK1 and SM-2 capabilities in support of ongoing 
and emergent operational needs. The Netherlands has previously 
purchased MK 41 VLS capability and actively uses it on their current 
ship classes. The Netherlands will have no difficulty absorbing this 
equipment and support into its armed forces.
    The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the 
basic military balance in the region.
    The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, 
MD. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with 
this potential sale.
    Implementation of the proposed sale will not require the assignment 
of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the 
Netherlands. However, U.S. Government or contractor personnel in-
country visits will be required on a temporary basis in conjunction 
with program technical oversight and support requirements.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 23-27
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 Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) is a fixed, vertical, 
multi-missile launching system with the capability to store and launch 
multiple missile variants depending on the warfighting mission, 
including the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM), Standard Missile 
(SM), and Tomahawk Cruise Missiles. This proposed sale would provide 
tactical VLS capability for the ESSM and SM. The MK 41 VLS is a modular 
below-deck configuration with each module consisting of 8 missile cells 
with an associated gas management and deluge system.
    2. The highest level of classification of defense articles, 
components, and services included in this potential sale is 
CONFIDENTIAL.
    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 weapon system 
effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with similar or 
advanced capabilities.
    4. A determination has been made that the Netherlands 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 are 
authorized for release and export to the Government of the Netherlands.

[FR Doc. 2024-23119 Filed 10-4-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6001-FR-P


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