Arms Sales Notification, 72342-72344 [2019-28204]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
• Office of the Secretary

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 250 (Tuesday, December 31, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72342-72344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-28204]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 18-44]


Arms Sales Notification

AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Arms sales notice.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karma Job at [email protected] 
or (703) 697-8976.

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, Transmittal 18-44 with 
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: December 23, 2019.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
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Transmittal No. 18-44
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 Japan
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *................  $524 million
Other....................................  $ 37 million
                                          ------------------------------
  TOTAL..................................  $561 million
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
    Major Defense Equipment (MDE):

Eight (8) Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block 1B Missiles
Thirteen (13) Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block 2A Missiles

    Non-MDE: Also included are SM-3 1B and 2A missile canisters, U.S. 
Government and contractor provided technical assistance, engineering 
and logistical support services, and other related elements of 
logistical and program support.
    (iv) Military Department: Navy (JA-P-AUA)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: JA-P-ATP, JA-P-ATH
    (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: November 16, 2018

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

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Japan--Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Missiles

    The Government of Japan has requested to buy eight (8) Standard 
Missile-3 (SM-3) Block 1B Missiles and thirteen (13) Standard Missile-3 
(SM-3) Block 2A Missiles. Also included are SM-3 1B and 2A missile 
canisters, U.S. Government and contractor provided technical 
assistance, engineering and logistical support services, and other 
related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated 
program cost is $561 million.
    This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and 
national security of the United States by improving the security of a 
major ally that is a force for political stability and economic 
progress in the Asia-Pacific region. It is vital to U.S. national 
interests to assist Japan in developing and maintaining a strong and 
effective self-defense capability.
    The proposed sale will provide Japan with an increased ballistic 
missile defense capability to assist in defending the Japanese homeland 
and U.S. personnel stationed there. Japan will have no difficulty 
absorbing these additional munitions and support into the Japan 
Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF).
    The proposed sale of this equipment and support does not alter the 
basic military balance in the region.
    The principal contractor for the SM-3 Block 1B and 2A All Up Rounds 
will be Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona. The prime contractor 
for the Mk-21 and Mk-29 canisters and PHS&T kits will be BAE Systems, 
Minneapolis, Minnesota.
    There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with 
this potential sale.
    Implementation of this proposed sale will require annual trips to 
Japan involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for 
technical reviews, support, and oversight for approximately five years.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 18-44
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 proposed sale will involve the release of sensitive 
technology to the Government of Japan related to the Standard Missile-3 
(SM-3):
    a. The Block IB is an iteration of the SM-3 family. It has distinct 
advantages over the older Block IA variant previously sold to Japan, 
including an enhanced warhead which improves the search, 
discrimination, acquisition and tracking functions in order to address 
emerging threats. Once enclosed in the canister, the SM-3 Block IB 
missile is classified CONFIDENTIAL.
    b. The ship- or ground-launched SM-3 Block IIA is the most recent 
iteration in the SM-3 family. It has two distinct new features: larger 
rocket motors that will allow it to defend broader areas from ballistic 
missile threats, and a larger kinetic warhead. The kinetic warhead has 
been enhanced, improving the search, discrimination, acquisition and 
tracking functions, to address emerging threats. Once enclosed in the 
canister, the SM-3 Block IIA missile is classified CONFIDENTIAL. The 
optics hardware and signal processor are classified SECRET.
    2. If a technologically advanced adversary obtained knowledge of 
the specific hardware or software in the proposed sale, the information 
could be used to develop counter-measures which might reduce weapons 
system effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with 
similar or advanced capabilities.
    3. A determination has been made that Japan 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.
    4. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal 
have been authorized for release and export to Japan.

[FR Doc. 2019-28204 Filed 12-30-19; 8:45 am]
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