Country Team Assessment for 1206 Case B8-B-UDY Night

UNCLAS BISHKEK 000750 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KG SUBJECT: Country Team Assessment for 1206 Case B8-B-UDY Night Vision devices for Scorpion Special Forces Battalion SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED ¶1. (SBU) REASON FOR ARTICLE OR SERVICE: The Special Operations Unit 52806 based in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan has been designated by the Ministry of Defense to perform the function of a rapid reaction force in the event of terrorist or other threats in southern Kyrgyz Republic. The unit must be capable of quickly deploying from home base by land or air to the south to conduct counter-terror operations that could include hostage rescue and interdiction operations. Night vision devices will provide Unit 52806 the ability to accomplish these missions at night in order to enhance flexibility and increase the probability of success. ¶2. (SBU) EFFECT ON THE RECIPIENT'S FORCE STRUCTURE: Night vision devices are being requested as part of a package of training and equipment under the Section 1206 program for Unit 52806. The package will include transportation, communication gear and mountain climbing and survival gear. Training will be provided for the night vision devices as well as for the mountain and communications equipment. The effect of the night vision devices will be to add a night operations capability to the unit. ¶3. (SBU) CONTRIBUTION TO U.S. AND RECIPIENT'S DEFENSE/SECURITY GOALS: The delivery of this equipment will contribute to U.S. defense goals by enhancing Unit 52806 as an effective and responsive counter terror force that can respond to special situations in the southern parts of the country. A trained and equipped Unit 52806 will contribute to the security of the Kyrgyz Republic, an important ally and coalition partner, and also discourage the use of south Kyrgyz Republic as a transit base for terror groups or a safe zone to launch attacks against U.S. interests in the region. ¶4. (SBU) JUSTIFICATION FOR TYPE AND AMOUNT OF ARTICLES OR SERVICES REQUIRED: Unit 52806 will have 200 special operations soldiers preparing, training or standing ready to conduct operational missions. 200 night vision devices will serve to outfit the entire unit for simultaneous training and operations. The AN/PVS 7 night vision device provides basic night vision capability and serves the needs of the unit in multiple, flexible environments. There are no compatibility issues with regards to the mounting of the AN/PVS 7 on Unit 52806's equipment. Generation 2 2.5 Multipurpose NVG rifle scopes provide night vision capabilities in combat operations. ¶5. (U) COMBATANT COMMANDER'S ASSESSMENT: To be provided separately. ¶6. (U) ANTICIPATED REACTIONS OF NEIGHBORING NATIONS: The Kyrgyz Republic has good relations with its neighbors. Neighboring nations will support an increase in the level of security within the Kyrgyz Republic. ¶7. (SBU) ABILITY OF THE NATION TO ACCOUNT FOR, SAFEGUARD, OPERATE, MAINTAIN, AND SUPPORT THE ARTICLES: The Ministry of Defense of the Kyrgyz Republic has agreed to secure the night vision devices in a manner commensurate with US military standards for storage, security and accountability. They have also agreed to End Use Monitoring of these devices by a duly appointed representative of the US government as required by the Arms Export Control Act. The 1206 case should include funding for a training team to train unit-level and direct support level maintenance technicians. The Kyrgyz Republic already has over 200 U.S. provided PVS-7Bs and complies with all requirements for accountability and support. ¶8. (U) TRAINING REQUIRED, AND REACTION ANTICIPATED FROM PRESENCE OF U.S. TRAINERS IN COUNTRY: Training will include maintenance of night vision devices, which can be accomplished by sending select personnel to the United States for the required courses or a special MTT to train them in the Kyrgyz Republic. Sending soldiers to courses in the U.S. and conducting MTTs are a normal part of military cooperation activities in the Kyrgyz Republic; reaction to the presence of U.S. trainers in the Kyrgyz Republic will be minimal. ¶9. (SBU) POSSIBLE IMPACT OF U.S. PRESENCE THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED IN COUNTRY: The possible impact of U.S. presence will be minimal in the Kyrgyz Republic. The U.S. military has conducted over fifty information exchanges and training events in the Kyrgyz Republic in fiscal year 2008 with no incidents or significant problems. ¶10. (U) SOURCE OF FINANCING AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE ACQUISITION: Funds were reprogrammed from the Department of Defense operational budget through Section 1206 of the National Defense Authorization Act. The economic impact of this transaction is minimal. ¶11. (SBU) HUMAN RIGHTS CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT TO THE ACQUISITIONS: Human rights vetting will be conducted for all training as required by the Arms Export Control Act and will be periodically re-evaluated over time. Unit 52806 is strictly a military unit belonging to the Ministry of Defense and has no internal policing functions in the country. ¶12. (U) PLAN FOR END USE MONITORING: OMC Bishkek will conduct at a minimum a semi-annual 100% inventory and inspection night vision devices. In addition, OMC will inspect all storage facility documents related to accountability of night vision devices. When training teams are on hand, they will be tasked to inspect the night vision devices during the course of their duties as well as inspecting security procedures. OMC will keep serial numbers for all night vision devices on file in case of theft or loss. ¶13. (U) RECOMMENDATION WHETHER THE USG SHOULD APPROVE TRANSFER OF THE ARTICLE AND JUSTIFICATION: Highly recommend approval of the delivery of the requested night vision devices to the Ministry of Defense of the Kyrgyz Republic and Unit 52806. LITZENBERGER