Arms Sales Notification, 23332-23334 [2020-08786]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
• Office of the Secretary

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 81 (Monday, April 27, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23332-23334]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08786]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 20-10]


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 20-10 with 
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: April 21, 2020.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.

[[Page 23333]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN27AP20.003

Transmittal No. 20-10
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: Kingdom of Morocco
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *...............................     $25 million
Other...................................................     $37 million
                                                         ---------------
  Total.................................................     $62 million
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
    Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
    Ten (10) AGM-84L Harpoon Block II Air Launched Missiles
    Non-MDE:
    Also included are containers, spare and repair parts, support and 
test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel 
training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor 
representatives' technical assistance, engineering and logistics 
support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

[[Page 23334]]

    (iv) Military Department: Navy (MO-P-AAL)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: 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 14, 2020

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

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Morocco--AGM-84L Harpoon Air Launched Block II Missiles

    The Government of Morocco has requested to buy ten (10) AGM-84L 
Harpoon Block II Air Launched missiles. Also included are containers, 
spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and 
technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, 
U.S. Government and contractor representatives' technical assistance, 
engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements 
of logistics support. The total estimated cost is $62 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 of the missiles and support will increase the 
Moroccan Air Force's maritime partnership potential and align its 
capabilities with existing regional baselines. Morocco intends to use 
the missiles on its F-16, multi-role fighter aircraft to enhance its 
capabilities in effective defense of critical sea-lanes. Morocco will 
have no difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces.
    The proposed sale of this equipment and services will not alter the 
basic military balance in the region.
    The prime contractor will be The Boeing Company, St. Louis, 
Missouri. The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset 
agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the 
contractor(s).
    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 five years.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 20-10
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-84L Harpoon Air Launched Block II missile system is 
classified CONFIDENTIAL. The Harpoon missile is a non-nuclear tactical 
weapon system currently in service in the U.S. Navy and in 29 other 
foreign nations. It provides a day, night, and adverse weather, 
standoff air-to-surface capability and is an effective Anti-Surface 
Warfare missile. The AGM-84L incorporates components, software, and 
technical design information that are considered sensitive. These 
elements are essential to the ability of the Harpoon missile to 
selectively engage hostile targets under a wide range of operations, 
tactical and environmental conditions. The version being sold to 
Morocco is a Non-Coastal Target Suppression land attack weapon. The 
following components being conveyed by the proposed sale that are 
considered sensitive and are classified CONFIDENTIAL include:
    a. The Radar Seeker
    b. The GPS/INS System
    c. Operational Flight Program Software
    d. Missile operational characteristics and performance data
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal are 
authorized for release and export to the Government of Morocco.

[FR Doc. 2020-08786 Filed 4-24-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P