Sec. 1279D. Security assistance for Baltic nations for joint program for interoperability and deterrence against aggression
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The Secretary of Defense may, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, conduct or support a single joint program of the Baltic nations to improve their interoperability and build their capacity to deter and resist aggression by the Russian Federation. For purposes of subsection (a), a joint program of the Baltic nations may be either of the following: A program jointly agreed by the Baltic nations to procure defense articles and services described in subsection
(c)using assistance provided pursuant to subsection (a). An agreement for the joint procurement by the Baltic nations of defense articles and services described in subsection
(c)using assistance provided pursuant to subsection (a). For purposes of subsection (b), the defense articles and services described in this subsection include the following: Real time or near-real time actionable intelligence, including by lease of such capabilities from United States commercial entities. Unmanned aerial tactical surveillance systems. Lethal assistance, such as anti-armor weapon systems, mortars, crew-served weapons and ammunition, grenade launchers and ammunition, and small arms and ammunition. Air defense radars and anti-aircraft weapons. Other defense articles or services agreed to by the Baltic nations and considered appropriate by the Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State. Any country other than a Baltic nation may participate in the joint program described in subsection (a), but only using funds of such country. Not later than 60 days before initiating activities under the joint program under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a written and electronic notice of the following: The countries that will participate in the joint program. A detailed assessment of how the joint program will improve the interoperability of the Baltic nations and build their capacity to deter and resist aggression by the Russian Federation. A description of the elements of the United States European Command theater security cooperation plan, and of the interagency integrated country strategy in each Baltic nation, that will be advanced by the joint program. A detailed evaluation of the capacity of the Baltic nations to absorb the defense articles and services to be procured under the joint program. The cost and delivery schedule of the joint program. A description of the arrangements, if any, for the sustainment of the defense articles and services to be procured under the joint program, and the estimated cost and source of funds to support sustainment of the capabilities and performance outcomes achieved under the joint program beyond its completion date, if applicable. Amounts for assistance provided pursuant to subsection
(a)shall be derived from amounts authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Defense for operation and maintenance, Defense-wide. The total amount of assistance provided pursuant to subsection
(a)may not exceed $100,000,000. Assistance may not be provided pursuant to subsection
(a)after December 31, 2020. In this section: The term appropriate committees of Congress means— the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. The term Baltic nations means the following: Estonia. Latvia. Lithuania.