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] [Pages S4727-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 26-71. Pursuant to the reporting requirements of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), as amended, we are forwarding Transmittal No. 26-71 concerning the Air Force's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Government of Oman for defense articles and services estimated to cost $188 million. We will issue a news release to notify the public of this proposed sale upon delivery of this letter to your office. Recipients: Speaker of the House of Representatives House Committee on Foreign Affairs Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Sincerely, Katherine Bowles, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Legislative Affairs. Transmittal No. 26-71 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 Oman. (ii) Total Estimated Value: Major Defense Equipment * $0. Other $188 million. Total $188 million. Funding Source: National Funds. (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase: [[Page S4728]] Major Defense Equipment (MDE): None. Non-MDE: The following non-MDE items will be included: major and minor modifications support and equipment; spare parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; aircraft components, parts, and accessories; communications equipment; instruments and lab equipment; precision navigation; ground handling equipment; precision measurement equipment laboratory calibration; computer program identification numbers; engine component improvement program; weapons system support to include software, classified and unclassified software and software support, and classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; maps and charts; clothing, textiles, and individual equipment; personnel training and training equipment; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. (iv) Military Department: Air Force (MU-D-YAJ). (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: (MU-D-QAO). (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be Paid: None known at this time. (vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: None. (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: September 1, 2026. * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act. POLICY JUSTIFICATION Oman--F-16 Sustainment The Government of Oman has requested to buy the following non-major defense equipment (non-MDE) items: major and minor modifications support and equipment; spare parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; aircraft components, parts, and accessories; communications equipment; instruments and lab equipment; precision navigation; ground handling equipment; precision measurement equipment laboratory calibration; computer program identification numbers; engine component improvement program; weapons system support to include software, classified and unclassified software and software support, and classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; maps and charts; clothing, textiles, and individual equipment; personnel training and training equipment; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $188 million. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a longstanding partner that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. The proposed sale will improve Oman's capability to meet current and future threats by increasing interoperability with U.S. and coalition partners and improving prospects for bilateral training and exercises with Oman's military forces. Oman already has F-16 aircraft in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. There is no principal contractor associated with this potential sale. Support will be provided by U.S. Government or contracted vendors based upon requirements as they are determined. At this time, the U.S. Government is not aware of any offset agreement proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Oman. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. ____________________