SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This 36(b) 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 the attached Transmittal 26-57, Policy Justification, and Sensitivity of Technology.

Transmittal No. 26-57

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 Australia

(ii) Total Estimated Value:

(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or Services under Consideration for Purchase: Foreign Military Sales case AT-P-GTM was below congressional notification threshold at $18 million ($0 in major defense equipment (MDE)) and included F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft aircrew and maintenance training; protective personnel equipment; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. In 2015, the case was amended and added $49 million for a total of $67 million ($0 in MDE) and included F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft aircrew and maintenance training; protective personnel equipment; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. This amendment caused the case to exceed the congressional notification threshold, and it should have been notified to Congress at that time, but the technical error was not discovered until the partner requested an amendment in 2026. In 2018, the case was amended and added $75 million for a total of $142 million ($0 in MDE) and included F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft classified and unclassified aircrew and maintenance training; protective personnel equipment; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. In 2022, the case was amended and the value decreased by $2 million for a total of $140 million ($0 in MDE) due to limited pilot attendance and included delivery of F/A-18F and EA-18G operational conversion; and HAVOC and TOPGUN training to the Royal Australian Air Force aircrew. At this time, the Government of Australia has requested that the case be amended to include the following non-MDE items: F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft classified and unclassified aircrew and maintenance training; protective personnel equipment; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services; classified and unclassified technical and non-technical manuals, books, publications, and training documentation; and other related elements of logistics and program support. This amendment will be adding $110 million ($0 in MDE). This adjustment brings the estimated total program cost to $250 million. These case amendments exceed the notification 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: F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft classified and unclassified aircrew and maintenance training; protective personnel equipment; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services; classified and unclassified technical and non-technical manuals, books, publications, and training documentation; and other related elements of logistics and program support.

(iv) Military Department: Navy (AT-P-GTM)

(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: Navy (AT-P-SAF; AT-P-GQY; AT-P-LEN; AT-P-SCI; AT-P-GQF; AT-P-FBS)

(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: June 25, 2026

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

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Australia—F/A-18F & EA-18G Growler Aircraft Training

The Government of Australia has requested to buy the following additional non-major defense equipment (MDE) items: F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft classified and unclassified aircrew and ( printed page 46116) maintenance training; protective personnel equipment; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services; classified and unclassified technical and non-technical manuals, books, publications, and training documentation; and other related elements of logistics and program support that will be added to the previously implemented cases. The original Foreign Military Sales case, valued at $18 million ($0 in MDE), included F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft aircrew and maintenance training; protective personnel equipment; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. In 2015, the case was amended and added $49 million for a total of $67 million ($0 in MDE) and included F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft aircrew and maintenance training; protective personnel equipment; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. This amendment caused the case to exceed the congressional notification threshold, and it should have been notified to Congress at that time, but the technical error was not discovered until the partner requested an amendment in 2026. In 2018, the case was amended and added $75 million for a total of $142 million ($0 in MDE) and included F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft classified and unclassified aircrew and maintenance training; protective personnel equipment; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. In 2022, the case was amended and the case value decreased to $2 million for a total of $140 million ($0 in MDE) due to limited pilot attendance and included delivery of F/A-18F and EA-18G operational conversion; and HAVOC and TOPGUN training to the Royal Australian Air Force aircrew. This notification is for a combined total of the following non-MDE items: F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft classified and unclassified aircrew and maintenance training; protective personnel equipment; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services; classified and unclassified technical and non-technical manuals, books, publications, and training documentation; and other related elements of logistics and program support. This amendment will be adding $110 million ($0 in MDE). This adjustment brings the estimated total program cost to $250 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the Western Pacific. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.

The proposed sale will enhance Australia's capability to meet current and future threats and increase its interoperability with the U.S. and its allies through comprehensive training. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing this training 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. Training will be provided by U.S. Government or contract 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 Australia.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

Transmittal No. 26-57

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 F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft aircrew training provides squadron level proficiency training, aircrew courseware, and follow-on courses of instruction for the F/A-18F and EA-18G aircraft. The F/A-18F and EA-18G aircraft system training includes the provision of publications, other technical documentation, flight manuals, technical manuals, and technical data and updates for improved operations and maintenance.

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 Australia 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 Australia.

91 FR 46115