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 26-78, Policy Justification, and Sensitivity of Technology.

Transmittal No. 26-78

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: Republic of Korea

(ii) Total Estimated Value:

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

Major Defense Equipment (MDE):

One hundred three (103) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles

Ten (10) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Guidance Units

Non-MDE:

The following non-MDE items will also be included: active optical target detector; training; weapon system support; training aids and devices; spare parts; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support.

(iv) Military Department: Navy (KS-P-AOF)

(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: KS-P-ALE; KS-P-AMA

(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 ( printed page 60118)

(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: August 21, 2026

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

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Korea—AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Missiles

The Republic of Korea has requested to buy one hundred and three (103) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles; and ten (10) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Guidance Units. The following non-major defense equipment items will also be included: active optical target detector; training; weapon system support; training aids and devices; spare parts; 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 $125 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region.

The proposed sale will help improve the Republic of Korea's capability to meet current and future threats by expanding its air defense capability, deterring aggression in the region, and ensuring interoperability with U.S. Forces. The Republic of Korea 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 RTX Corporation, 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 the Republic of Korea.

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

Transmittal No. 26-78

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 AIM-9X Sidewinder missile is a supersonic, air-to-air, guided missile that utilizes a passive infrared target acquisition system, proportional navigation guidance, a closed loop position servo Fin Actuator Unit (FAU), and an active optical target detector. A solid propellant rocket motor provides propulsion. The missile has an angular blast fragmented warhead controlled by an Electronic Safe Arm Device. Four control fins activated by the FAU accomplish missile maneuvering by deflecting rocket motor thrust. The missile is used for guided flight tracking of an airborne drone and transmits encrypted telemetry data to aircraft or ground station receivers.

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 the Republic of Korea 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 the Republic of Korea.

91 FR 60117