80 FR 35944 - 36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 120 (June 23, 2015)

The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text of a section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification. This is published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated July 21, 1996.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 120 (Tuesday, June 23, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35944-35946]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-15358]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 15-24]


36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification

AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense.

[[Page 35945]]


ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text 
of a section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification. This is published to 
fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-164 dated 
July 21, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. B. English, DSCA/DBO/CFM, (703) 
601-3740.
    The following is a copy of a letter to the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, Transmittal 15-24 with attached Policy Justification 
and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: June 18, 2015.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN23JN15.021

Transmittal No. 15-24
Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section 
36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act
    (i) Prospective Purchaser: Republic of Korea
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *................  $1.21 billion
Other....................................  $0.70 billion
                                          ------------------------------
    TOTAL................................  $1.91 billion
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase: 3 Aegis Shipboard Combat 
Systems, 3 MK-41 Vertical Launching Systems, 3 Common Data Link 
Management Systems, 3 AN/UPX-29(V) Identification Friend or Foe 
Interrogators, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications 
and

[[Page 35946]]

technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, 
tool and test equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical, 
engineering, and logistics support services, and other related elements 
of logistics support.
    (iv) Military Department: Navy (LQI)
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any: FMS case LPN-$1.06B-10Aug02
    (vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed to be 
Paid: None
    (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: 09 JUNE 2015
    * as defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Republic of Korea--Aegis Combat System

    The Republic of Korea (ROK) has requested a possible sale of 3 
Aegis Shipboard Combat Systems, 3 MK-41 Vertical Launching Systems, 3 
Common Data Link Management Systems, 3 AN/UPX-29(V) Identification 
Friend or Foe Interrogators, spare and repair parts, support equipment, 
publications and technical documentation, personnel training and 
training equipment, tool and test equipment, U.S. Government and 
contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services, and 
other related elements of logistics support. The total estimated cost 
is $1.91 billion.
    This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and 
national security objectives of the United States by meeting the 
legitimate security and defense needs of an ally and partner nation. 
The ROK is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia 
and the Western Pacific and a key partner of the United States in 
ensuring peace and stability in that region. It is vital to the U.S. 
interest to assist our Korean ally in developing and maintaining a 
strong and ready self-defense capability.
    The Aegis Combat System will provide enhanced capabilities on the 
ROK's naval ships to defend against possible aggression and protect sea 
lines of communications. Aegis is the keystone in the ROK Navy's 
efforts to upgrade its shipboard combat and ballistic missile defense 
capability. The ROK will have no difficulty integrating this system 
into its armed forces.
    The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the 
basic military balance in the region.
    The principal contractors will be Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems 
and Training in Morristown, New Jersey; Raytheon Company in Andover, 
Massachusetts; General Dynamics Armament Systems in Burlington, 
Vermont. Although offsets are requested, they are unknown this time and 
will be determined during negotiations between the ROK and contractors.
    Implementation of this proposal sale will not require any 
additional U.S. government or U.S. contractor personnel in Korea. 
However, U.S. Government or contractor personnel in-country visits will 
be required on a temporary basis in conjunction with program technical 
oversight and support requirements for approximately five years.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 15-24
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. Aegis Weapon System (AWS) hardware is Unclassified, with the 
exception of the RF oscillator used in the Fire Control transmitter, 
which is classified Confidential. Aegis document in general is 
unclassified. However, seven operation and maintenance manuals are 
classified Confidential, and there is also a classified Secret 
supplement to the Aegis Combat System Maintenance Manual. The manuals 
and technical documents are limited to those necessary for operational 
use and organizational maintenance.
    2. While the hardware associated with the SPY-1D radar is 
Unclassified, the computer programs are classified Secret. It is the 
combination of the SPY-1D hardware and the computer program for the 
SPY-1D radar that constitutes the technology sensitive aspects of the 
AWS. SPY-1D radar hardware design and computer program documentation 
will not be released.
    3. The AN/UPX-29(V) AIMS MK XIIA Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) 
system, includes the AN/UPX-41(C) Interrogator Set. The AN/UPX-29(V) 
IFF includes new waveforms that improve identification coverage, 
enhances the ability to discriminate between closely spaced platforms, 
is compatible with civilian air traffic control, and provides enhanced 
security. The equipment has embedded communication security and is 
protected internal to Unclassified equipment.
    4. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain knowledge 
of the specific hardware and software elements, the information could 
be used to develop countermeasures which might reduce weapon system 
effectiveness or be used in the development of a system with similar or 
advanced capabilities.
    5. A determination has been made that the recipient country can 
provide 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.
    6. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal 
have been authorized for release and export to the Republic of Korea.

[FR Doc. 2015-15358 Filed 6-22-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 5001-06-P