The State Department approved three potential military sales to the United Arab Emirates worth about $23.4 billion, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Nov. 10. Under the first sale, the UAE would get MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and related equipment worth nearly $3 billion. The principal contractors will be General Atomic Aeronautical Systems, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, L3Harris and Leonardo SpA. The second sale includes F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and related equipment worth about $10.4 billion. The prime contractors will be Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney Military Engines. The third sale includes missiles, bombs and other munitions worth about $10 billion. Raytheon and Northrop Grumman Information Systems will be the principal contractors.
The Bureau of Industry and Security withdrew a proposed rule from the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs related to its strategic trade authorization (STA) license exception. The rule, which was received by OIRA Aug. 27 (see 2008280022) and withdrawn Nov. 12, would have clarified the “availability” and expanded restrictions on availability of the license exception under the Export Administration Regulations. A BIS spokesperson said the agency is still considering proposing the rule. “The rule was withdrawn for further informal interagency consultation,” the spokesperson said.
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs began a review of a final rule from the Bureau of Industry and Security to remove Hong Kong as a “separate destination” under the Export Administration Regulations. OIRA received the rule Nov. 6. BIS announced in June that it suspended license applications for shipments to Hong Kong (see 2006300050) to further align Hong Kong export regulations with mainland China.
The Bureau of Industry and Security extended the comment period for an information collection related to foreign importer certificates, end-user certificates, delivery verification certificates and firearms entry clearance requirements, a notice released Nov. 9 said. BIS said it wants more feedback on its collection for import and end-user certificates -- which are “obtained by the foreign importer and transmitted to the U.S. exporter” -- and delivery verification for BIS-controlled items. The agency is also seeking feedback on its information collection for firearms clearance requirements, which have changed due to the recent transfer of certain firearms controls from the State Department. “The Department of Commerce controls the [Commerce Control List] and must now take over this collection of information,” BIS said. The “entry clearance requirements for temporary imports will specify the [Export Administration Regulations] procedures for temporary imports and subsequent exports.” Comments are due Dec. 10.
The Bureau of Industry and Security extended the comment period (see 2008140002) for an information collection related to submitting declarations to the International Atomic Energy Agency for nuclear materials, a notice released Nov. 9 said. The IAEA requires information on nuclear-related products that may be used for “peaceful” nuclear purposes but also can be part of a nuclear weapons program, the notice said. The declarations provide the IAEA with information about the U.S. “commercial nuclear fuel cycle,” including nuclear equipment manufacturing and trade in nuclear-related goods. Comments are due Dec. 10.
The State Department approved a potential military sale to Canada worth about $500 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Nov. 5. The sale includes “Standard Missile 2 (SM-2) Block IIIC missiles” and related equipment. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense.
The State Department approved another potential military sale to Taiwan worth about $600 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Nov. 3, drawing backlash from China. The sale includes four “Weapons-Ready MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft” and related equipment. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. will be the principal contractor.
The State Department approved a potential military sale to Romania worth about $175 million, the Defense Cooperation Agency said Nov. 3. The sale includes F-16 fleet modernization and logistics support and related equipment. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company.
The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls this week released the minutes from its Oct. 22 Defense Trade Advisory Group plenary meeting. The minutes cover remarks made by the group’s chair, Andrea Dynes, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense Trade Controls Mike Miller, and notes from each of the working groups' presentations.
The State Department approved potential military sales to Australia and Guyana worth about $300 million combined, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Oct. 30. Under the proposed sales, Australia would get $46 million worth of Javelin missiles and related equipment. The sale will not require the “assignment” of a government contractor, the DSCA said. The sale to Guyana includes $256 million worth of Bell 412EPi and 429 helicopters. The principal contractor will be Bell Helicopter Textron.