83 FR 47895 - Arms Sales Notification

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 184 (September 21, 2018)

The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text of an arms sales notification.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 184 (Friday, September 21, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47895-47897]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20519]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 18-29]


Arms Sales Notification

AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Arms sales notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is publishing the unclassified text 
of an arms sales notification.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DSCA at dsca.ncr.lmo.mbx.info@mail.mil">dsca.ncr.lmo.mbx.info@mail.mil 
or (703) 697-9709.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 36(b)(1) arms sales notification is 
published to fulfill the requirements of section 155 of Public Law 104-
164 dated July 21, 1996. The following is a copy of a letter to the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Transmittal 18-29 with 
attached Policy Justification and Sensitivity of Technology.

    Dated: September 17, 2018.
Shelly E. Finke,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
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[[Page 47896]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN21SE18.000

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Transmittal No. 18-29
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 Mexico
    (ii) Total Estimated Value:

Major Defense Equipment *...............................   $14.0 million
Other...................................................   $27.6 million
                                                         ---------------
  Total.................................................   $41.6 million
 

    (iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or 
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
    Major Defense Equipment (MDE):

Six (6) Evolved Seasparrow Tactical Missiles (ESSM)
Two (2) Evolved Seasparrow Telemetry Missiles

    Non-MDE:
    Also included are one (1) MK56 VLS launcher (8-cell), eight (8) 
MK30 canisters, eight (8) MK783 shipping containers, spare and repair 
parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical 
documentation, training, USG/Contractor technical and engineering 
support services, and technical assistance.
    (iv) Military Department: Navy
    (v) Prior Related Cases, if any:

MX-P-AAG (57mm and 25mm ammunition)
MX-P-AAN (Rolling Airframe Missile)
MX-P-AAO (Harpoon Block II Missile)
MX-P-AAS (MK54 Torpedo)
MX-P-SAA (MH-60R Helicopter and support)


[[Page 47897]]


    (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: August 8, 2018

    * As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act.

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Mexico--Evolved Seasparrow Missiles

    The Government of Mexico has requested to buy six (6) Evolved 
Seasparrow tactical missiles (ESSM) and two (2) Evolved Seasparrow 
telemetry missiles. Also included are one (1) MK56 VLS launcher (8-
cell), eight (8) MK30 canisters, eight (8) MK783 shipping containers, 
spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and 
technical documentation, training, USG/Contractor technical and 
engineering support services, and technical assistance. The total 
estimated value is $41 million.
    This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national 
security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a 
strategic regional partner. The sale of these shipboard systems to 
Mexico will significantly increase and strengthen Mexico's maritime 
capabilities. Mexico intends to use these defense articles and services 
to modernize its armed forces and expand its existing naval and 
maritime support of national security requirements.
    Mexico intends to use the weapons systems on its Sigma 10514 Class 
ship. The systems will provide enhanced capabilities in effective 
defense of critical sea lanes. The proposed sale of these systems and 
support services will increase the Mexican Navy's maritime partnership 
potential and align its capabilities with existing regional navies. 
Mexico has not purchased these systems previously. Mexico will have no 
difficulty integrating this equipment 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 Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, 
Arizona. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this 
potential sale.
    Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the 
assignment of any additional U.S. Government and/or contractor 
representatives to Mexico.
    There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a 
result of this proposed sale.
Transmittal No. 18-29
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 sale of Evolved Seasparrow missiles (ESSM) under this FMS 
case will result in the transfer of classified missile equipment to 
Mexico. Both classified and unclassified defense equipment and 
technical data will be transferred. The missile includes the guidance 
section, warhead section, transition section, propulsion section, 
control section and Thrust Vector Control (TVC) of which the guidance 
section and transition section are classified CONFIDENTIAL. Standard 
missile documentation to be provided under this FMS case will include:

a. Parametric documents (CONFIDENTIAL)
b. Missile Handling/Maintenance Procedures (UNCLASSIFIED)
c. General Performance Data (CONFIDENTIAL)
d. Firing Guidance (CONFIDENTIAL)
e. Dynamics Information (Confidential)

    2. The sale of the Evolved Seasparrow Missiles (ESSM) under this 
FMS case will result in the transfer of sensitive technological 
information and/or restricted information contained in the missile 
guidance section. Certain operating frequencies and performance 
characteristics are classified SECRET because it could be used to 
develop tactics and/or countermeasures to reduce or defeat the missile 
effectiveness.
    3. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain knowledge 
of the specific hardware and software elements, primarily performance 
characteristics, engagement algorithms, and transmitter specific 
frequencies, the information could be used to develop countermeasures 
that might reduce weapon system effectiveness.
    4. A determination has been made that the recipient country can 
provide substantially 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.
    5. All defense articles and services listed in this transmittal 
have been authorized for release and export to Mexico.

[FR Doc. 2018-20519 Filed 9-20-18; 8:45 am]
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