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Notice2026-19322

Arms Sales Notification

Primary source

Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.

Published
September 22, 2026

Issuing agencies

Defense Department

Abstract

The DoD (referred to herein as "the Department," "Department of War" or "DoW") is publishing the unclassified text of an arms sales notification.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 182 (Tuesday, September 22, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 22, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60117-60118]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19322]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

[Transmittal No. 26-78]


Arms Sales Notification

AGENCY: Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Department of Defense 
(DoD).

ACTION: Arms sales notice.

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SUMMARY: The DoD (referred to herein as ``the Department,'' 
``Department of War'' or ``DoW'') is publishing the unclassified text 
of an arms sales notification.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Urooj Zahra at (703) 695-6233, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ee9b9c818184c0948f869c8fc08d8798ae838f8782c0838782"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="add8dfc2c2c783d7ccc5dfcc83cec4dbedc0ccc4c183c0c4c1">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>, or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#35514656541b5b56471b47464756585258411b595c46411b565b461858574d7558545c591b585c59"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9cf8effffdb2f2ffeeb2eeefeefff1fbf1e8b2f0f5efe8b2fff2efb1f1fee4dcf1fdf5f0b2f1f5f0">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

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.

    Dated: September 17, 2026.
Stephanie J. Bost,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
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:

Major Defense Equipment *...............  $ 70 million
Other...................................  $ 55 million
                                         -------------------------------
  TOTAL.................................  $125 million
 

    (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

[[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.

[FR Doc. 2026-19322 Filed 9-21-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6001-FR-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on September 22, 2026.

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