ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION

On 2026-09-24, 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 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S4977-S4978] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ARMS SALES NOTIFICATION Mr. RISCH. Madam 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 26-91. Pursuant to the reporting requirements of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), as amended, we are forwarding Transmittal No. 26-91 concerning the Air Force?s proposed Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Government of Japan for defense articles and services estimated to cost $159 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. 26-91 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 * $0. [[Page S4978]] Other $159 million. Total $159 million. (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase: Foreign Military Sales case JA-D-QFB was below congressional notification threshold at $99.9 million ($0 in MDE) and included AN/ARC- 210 radios; high frequency radios; major and minor modifications support and equipment; communications equipment; spare parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; transportation support; and U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services. The Government of Japan has requested the case be amended to include aircraft ferry support; and other related elements of logistics and program support. This amendment will cause the case to exceed the notifi6ation threshold, and thus notification of the entire program is required. The above notification requirements are combined as follows: Major Defense Equipment (MDE): None. Non-MDE: The following non-MDE items will be included: aircraft ferry support; AN/ARC-210 radios; high frequency radios; major and minor modifications support and equipment; communications equipment; spare parts, consumables and accessories; and repair and return support; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; transportation support; and 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 (JA-D-QFB). (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None. (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: See Attached Annex. (viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: September 22, 2026. * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act. policy justification Japan--Ferry Support The Government of Japan has requested to buy aircraft ferry support; and other related elements of logistics and program support that will be added to a previously implemented case whose value was under the congressional notification threshold. The original Foreign Military Sales case, valued at $99.9 million ($0 in MDE), included AN/ARC-210 radios; high frequency radios; major and minor modifications support and equipment; communications equipment; spare parts, consumables and accessories; and repair and return support; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; transportation support; and 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 $159 million. This proposed sale will enhance the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Pacific region. The proposed sale will improve Japan's capability to meet current and future threats by providing increased intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and airborne early warning and control capabilities. Japan 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. The principal contractor will be The Boeing Company, located in Arlington, VA. 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 Japan. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. Transmittal No. 26-91 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 AN/ARC-210 provides secure, jam-resistant, line-of- sight and satellite communications, and is configured with HAVE QUICK II and Second-Generation Anti-jam Tactical Ultra High Frequency Radio for NATO (SATURN), which enables survival and communication in highly contested electronic warfare environments. Both waveforms rely directly on Type 1 Cryptography to encrypt tactical voice and data traffic and securing the radio's frequency-hopping pattern. Other waveforms may be included as needed. 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 system effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with similar or advanced capabilities. 4. 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 proposed 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 Government of Japan. ____________________