Arms Sales Notification, 79477-79479 [2020-27185]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
• Office of the Secretary

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 238 (Thursday, December 10, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79477-79479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27185]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 20-60]


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 20-60 with 
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: December 7, 2020.
Kayyonne T. Marston,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
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[[Page 79478]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN10DE20.005

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Transmittal No. 20-60
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: Republic of Korea
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *...............  $135.9 million
Other...................................  $ 22.2 million
                                         -------------------------------
  Total.................................  $158.1 million
 

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

Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
    One hundred fifteen (115) AIM-9X Block II Tactical Sidewinder 
Missiles
    Fifty (50) AIM-9X Block II Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM)
    Twenty (20) AIM-9X Block II Tactical Missile Guidance Units
    Twenty (20) AIM-9X Block II CATM Guidance Units
Non-MDE:
    Also included are containers, weapon system support, software, 
surface transportation, missile technical assistance, and other 
technical assistance; and other related elements of program support.

    (iv) Military Department: Navy (KS-P-AMV)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: KS-P-ALE
    (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be 
Paid: None

[[Page 79479]]

    (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: October 1, 2020

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

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Korea--AIM-9X Block II Tactical Sidewinder Missiles

    The Republic of Korea has requested to buy one hundred fifteen 
(115) AIM-9X Block II Tactical Sidewinder missiles; fifty (50) AIM-9X 
Block II Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); twenty (20) AIM-9X Block 
II Tactical Missile Guidance Units; and twenty (20) AIM[dash]9X Block 
II CATM Guidance Units. Also included are containers, weapon system 
support, software, surface transportation, missile technical 
assistance, and other technical assistance; and other related elements 
of program support. The estimated total cost is $158.1 million.
    This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and 
national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve 
the security of a treaty ally that continues to be an important force 
for political stability, peace, and economic progress in North East 
Asia.
    The proposed sale will assist the Republic of Korea in developing 
and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability. The 
Republic of Korea will have no difficulty absorbing these missiles 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 Corporation, Tucson, AZ. 
There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this 
potential sale.
    Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the 
assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor 
representatives to the Republic of Korea.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 20-60
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 AIM-9X Block II SIDEWINDER Missile is a short-range, air-to-
air missile. The AIM-9X Block II SIDEWINDER Missile provides a high 
off-boresight seeker, enhanced countermeasure rejection capability, low 
drag/high angle of attack airframe and the ability to integrate the 
Helmet Mounted Cueing System. The software algorithms are the most 
sensitive portion of the AIM-9X missile. The software continues to be 
modified via a pre-planned product improvement (P\3\I) program in order 
to improve its counter-countermeasure capabilities. No software source 
code or algorithms will be released.
    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 the Republic of Korea 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 Republic of Korea.

[FR Doc. 2020-27185 Filed 12-9-20; 8:45 am]
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