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 S4729-S4730] 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 26-68. Pursuant to the reporting requirements of Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), as amended, we are forwarding Transmittal No. 26-68 concerning the Army's proposed Letter(s) of Offer and Acceptance to the Government of Saudi Arabia for defense articles and services estimated to cost $750 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. 26-68 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 Saudi Arabia. (ii) Total Estimated Value: Major Defense Equipment * $300 million. Other $450 million. Total $750 million. Funding Source: National Funds. (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase: Major Defense Equipment (MDE): Sixty (60) AGT-1500 tank engines. Non-MDE: The following non-MDE items will also be included: AGT-1500 containers; spare parts, consumables, and accessories; contractor logistics support; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. [[Page S4730]] (iv) Military Department: Army (SR-B-VEM). (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 1, 2026. * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act. POLICY JUSTIFICATION Kingdom of Saudi Arabia--AGT-1500 Engines The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested to buy sixty (60) AGT-1500 tank engines. The following non-major defense equipment items will also be included: AGT-1500 containers; spare parts, consumables, and accessories; contractor logistics support; 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 $750 million. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and econonric progress in the Gulf Region. The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia's capability to meet current and future threats by bolstering its readiness, its ability to support operational requirements, and contributing to capabilities necessary to achieve improved interoperability and execution of bilateral contingency plans. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 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 Honeywell, located in Anniston Army Depot, AL. 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 Saudi Arabia. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. Transmittal No. 26-68 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. AGT-1500 gas turbine propulsion system: The use of the AGT-1500 gas turbine propulsion system in the M1A1 is a unique application of armored vehicle power pack technology. The hardware is composed of the AGT-1500 engine and transmission and is not classified. Manufacturing processes associated with the production of turbine blades, recuperator, bearings and shafts, and hydrostatic pump and motor are proprietary and therefore sensitive in nature. 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 Saudi Arabia 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 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ____________________