ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION

On 2026-09-15, Senator James E. Risch (R-ID) delivered a floor speech titled "ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION" in the Senate.

ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 145 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 145 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S4728] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, 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 still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an 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: U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC. CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION TRANSMITTAL LETTER Please find enclosed the following notification from the Department of State. Department Notification Number: RSAT 26-IE. Pursuant to the reporting requirements of Section 36(b)(5)(C) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), as amended, we are forwarding Transmittal No. 26-1E. This notification relates to enhancements or upgrades from the level of sensitivity of technology or capability described in the Section 36(b)(1) AECA certification 17-28 of October 6, 2017. Recipients: Speaker of the House of Representatives House Committee on Foreign Affairs Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Sincerely, Katherine Bowles, Senior Bureau Official, Bureau of Legislative Affairs. Transmittal No. 26-1E Report of Enhancement or Upgrade of Sensitivity of Technology or Capability (Sec. 36(b)(5)(C), AECA) (i) Purchaser: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (ii) Sec. 36(b)(1), AECA Transmittal No.: 17-28; Date: October 6, 2017; Implementing Agency: Missile Defense Agency. Funding Source: National Funds. (iii) Description: On October 6, 2017, Congress was notified by congressional certification transmittal number 17-28 of the possible sale, under Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, of forty-four (44) Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) launchers; three hundred sixty (360) THAAD interceptor missiles; sixteen (16) THAAD fire control and communications mobile tactical station group; and seven (7) AN/TPY-2 THAAD radars. Also included were THAAD battery maintenance equipment; prime movers (trucks); generators; electrical power units; trailers; communications equipment; tools; test and maintenance equipment; repair and return; system integration and checkout; spare and repair parts; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel support services; facilities construction; studies; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost was $15.0 billion. Major defense equipment (MDE) constituted $9.0 billion of this total. This transmittal reports the addition of one hundred twelve (112) THAAD interceptor missiles; and fifteen (15) THAAD launchers. The following non-MDE items will also be included: remote launch kits, sling kits, and software updates. The estimated total cost of the new MDE articles is $3.0 billion, resulting in a revised total estimated MDE cost of $12 billion. The total estimated cost of the new non-MDE articles is $200 million. The total estimated case value increases by $3.2 billion to a revised $18.2 billion. (iv) Significance: This notification accounts for requested additional MDE and nonMDE items not included in the original notification. The inclusion of this MDE represents an increase in capability over what was previously notified. The proposed articles and services will support Saudi Arabia's capability to counter current and future regional threats. (v) Justification: This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that contributes to political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region. (vi) Sensitivity of Technology: The Sensitivity of Technology Statement contained in the original notification applies to items reported here. The highest level of classification of defense articles, components, and services included in this potential sale is SECRET. (vii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: September 1, 2026. ____________________