EMBASSY AMMAN ASSESSMENT OF TEMPORARY LOAN REQUEST

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 001549 SIPDIS SECDEF FOR DSCA AND USD(P) SECSTATE FOR NEA/ELA AND PM/RSAT HQ DA FOR USASAC E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2019 TAGS: MCAP MASS PREL JO SUBJECT: EMBASSY AMMAN ASSESSMENT OF TEMPORARY LOAN REQUEST FOR NIGHT VISION DEVICES (NVD) Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) This cable provides information requested by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) related to the temporary loan of NVDs to deploying Jordanian forces. The Government of Jordan has requested authorization to receive 388 sets of AN/PVS-7B Night Vision Devices (NVDs) from Central Command (CENTCOM). The NVDs will be loaned to the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) in support of their deployment of Task Force (TF)-222 to Afghanistan along with U.S. Conventional Forces. ¶2. (SBU) These defense articles will not affect JAF's existing force structure. ¶3. (S) Jordan plays an instrumental role in supporting U.S. efforts in the region and merits further U.S. assistance in this key area of national defense. This enhanced capability will ensure Jordan's successful participation in this key deployment and will assist in serving Afghanistan. Approval of this will significantly improve Jordan-U.S. interoperability while deployed to Afghanistan. It will provide increased force protection for both Jordan and U.S. forces deployed with them. ¶4. (S) The type and quantity of these NVDs are being requested because on 10 July 2009 Jordan will deploy TF 222 a battalion task force of approximately 450 soldiers, in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom and urgently needs this enhanced nocturnal capability. The task force will operate as part of Joint Task Force(JTF)-82 and embed with U.S. 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division and operate jointly with other coalition partners in order to initially provide election support and then stability and support operations for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. This Task Force will manage battle-space in the Logar province and operate out of either a forward operating base or company observation posts that are located in and around Afghan villages. This close interaction with U.S., Coalition, and Afghan forces coupled with the forward-deployed nature of this task force justifies a direct need for these NVDs. ¶5. (S) CENTCOM has validated this request as an operational requirement and concurs with Jordan's request to temporarily loan them these NVDs. The CENTCOM Chief of Staff has already 
sent an official letter to DoD's Joint Staff requesting they fulfill this request since these NVDs are not available within CENTCOM's inventory. Receiving these NVDs will not be a new war-fighting capability for Jordan. The JAF already has NVDs of this specific type. This request will enhance interoperability with partners in the Central Command (CENTCOM) Area of Responsibility and is a key objective of CENTCOM's Theater Strategy and their Theater Security Cooperation Plan. ¶6. (SBU) The Embassy does not anticipate any negative reaction from any of Jordan's regional neighbors. While this action represents a modest increase to their current combat capabilities, it is not a technological breakthrough that could affect the regional balance of power. This temporary loan of NVDs will not have any impact on Jordan nor its neighboring countries' existing regional foreign policies. ¶7. (S) Jordan already accounts for, safeguards, operates and maintains similar and more sensitive items without difficulty. In October 2008, DSCA conducted a Compliance Assessment Visit (CAV) and Jordan received a "successful" rating, which is the highest rating, for their EUM compliance with their three EEUM articles including Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM),Javelins, and NVDs. We have already confirmed with the JAF its intent to provide these NVDs with the same degree of security and accountability the U.S. would provide. Jordan is a trustworthy custodian of other sensitive U.S. technologies and we believe they will continue to be so. ¶8. (SBU) Jordan will not require any in-country operator or technical training from U.S. trainers. Therefore, we do not anticipate any negative reaction from neighboring nations regarding loan. ¶9. (SBU) Jordan has received these NVDs in the past and there was no impact of U.S. presence while in country. Therefore, AMMAN 00001549 002 OF 002 we do expect any negative impact of any in-country U.S. presence that may be required in providing these articles. ¶10. (S) Jordan is not purchasing these NVDs with Foreign Military Financing (FMF). CENTCOM will loan the NVDs to Jordan and will be returned upon completion of the deployment. ¶11. (SBU) There are no human rights considerations relevant to the proposed acquisition. ¶12. (S) The Military Assistance Program (MAP) in Jordan currently has an active End-Use Monitoring (EUM) system in place for the JAF. These NVDs are enhanced-EUM items and will require periodic inventories while in possession of the JAF. Once these NVDs arrive to Afghanistan, the JAF has confirmed their intent to inventory them on a continuous basis. The US 3/10th Mountain Division that is deployed with them will ensure the task force is conducting daily inventories. ¶13. (SBU) The Embassy recommends USG approval for loan of the NVDs for the reasons described above. The acquisition of these NVDs will enhance the capabilities of Jordan and allow them to be a significant participator in fighting extremism. This approval will represent no political or technological risk to the U.S. ¶14. (S) These NVDs will allow the Jordanian soldiers to interoperate on the same level as the US conventional forces, which they will be fighting with. The Jordanian TF-222 will continuously conduct missions along with U.S., Jordanian, and Afghan soldiers justifying a definite need to be on equal footing in this active combat environment. ¶15. (U) POC this action is MAJ Scott Hurley, USA, at 011-962-6-590-6538 or shurley@san.osd.mil. Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman Beecroft