[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)] [Senate] [Pages S1130-S1131] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-17
Chamber: SENATE
Mr. MENENDEZ: 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 available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications which have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:  Defense Security  Cooperation Agency,  Washington, DC. Hon. Robert Menendez, 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. 21-57 concerning the Navy's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Government of Morocco for defense articles and services estimated to cost $250 million. After this letter is delivered to your office, we plan to issue a news release to notify the public of this proposed sale. Sincerely, James A. Hursch, Director. Enclosures.  transmittal no 21-57  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 Morocco. (ii) Total Estimated Value: Major Defense Equipment * $100 million. Other $150 million. Total $250 million. Funding Source: National Funds. (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase: Major Defense Equipment (MDE): Forty (40) AGM-154C Joint Stand Off Weapons (JSOW). Non-MDE: Also included are Dummy Air Training Missiles; Captive Flight Vehicles (CFVs); Free Flight Vehicles (FFVs); containers; mission planning, integration support, and testing; munitions storage security and training; weapon operational flight program software development; transportation, tools and test equipment; support equipment; spare and repair parts; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. (iv) Military Department: Navy (MO-P-AAM). (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: Navy (MO-P-LBI, MO-P-AAL), Air Force (MO-D-SAH). (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: April 11, 2023. * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.  POLICY JUSTIFICATION  Morocco--Joint Stand Off Weapons (JSOW)  The Government of Morocco has requested to buy forty (40) AGM-154C Joint Stand Off Weapons (JSOW). Also included are Dummy Air Training Missiles; Captive Flight Vehicles (CFVs); Free Flight Vehicles (FFVs); containers; mission planning, integration support, and testing; munitions storage security and training; weapon operational flight program software development; transportation, tools and test equipment; support equipment; spare and repair parts; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $250 million. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in North Africa. The proposed sale will improve Morocco's capability to meet current and future threats. Morocco intends to use the missiles on its F-16, multi-role fighter aircraft and will provide enhanced capabilities in effective defense of critical sea lanes. The proposed sale of these missiles and support will increase the Royal Moroccan Air Force's maritime partnership potential and align its capabilities with existing regional baselines. Morocco will have no difficulty absorbing these weapons 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 Raytheon Missiles & Defense Company, Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will require annual trips to Morocco involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical reviews, support, and oversight for approximately seven (7) years. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.  Transmittal No. 21-57  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 AGM-154 Joint Stand Off Weapon (JSOW) is used by Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, and allows aircraft to attack well-defended targets in day, night, and adverse weather conditions. The AGM-154C carries a BROACH warhead. The BROACH warhead incorporates an advanced multi-stage warhead.     The JSOW uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) Precise Positioning System (PPS), which provides for a more accurate capability than the commercial version of GPS. 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 weapon system effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with similar or advanced capabilities. 4. A determination has been made that Morocco 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 Morocco.