VZCZCXRO2343
RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHAM #1945/01 2391136
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271136Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN
TO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5828
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 1841
RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ5
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 001945 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
SECDEF FOR DSCA AND USD(P) 
SECSTATE FOR NEA/ELA MEGHAN GREGONIS 
SECSTATE FOR PM/RSAT MATT CHESSEN 
HQ DA FOR USASAC 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: MCAP MASS PREL JO
SUBJECT: EMBASSY AMMAN ASSESSMENT OF FMS REQUEST FOR 
COMMERCIAL-OFF-THE-SHELF(COTS) NIGHT VISION DEVICES (NVD) 
 
¶1.  (SBU) The Government of Jordan has requested authorization to 
purchase Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) Night Vision Devices (NVDs) 
through Foreign Military Financing (FMF) as part of their Jordan 
Border Security Plan (JBSP) FMS Case (JO-B-WAW).  The NVDs will 
enhance Jordan's border security by increasing the night vision 
capability of Jordan's border security forces.  This will enhance 
the ability of Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) to intercept smugglers, 
human traffickers, illegal immigrants and others who attempt to 
transit Jordan's borders illegally. 
 
¶2. (SBU) These defense articles will not affect JAF's existing force 
structure. 
 
¶3. (SBU) This request will enhance interoperability with partners in 
the Central Command (CENTCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR) and is a 
key objective of CENTCOM's Theater Strategy and their Theater 
Security Cooperation Plan.  The NVDs will provide Jordan with a 
nocturnal capability during peacetime and contingency operations. 
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.  Approval of this request will improve Jordan's 
ability to provide internal national security and significantly 
enhance Jordan-U.S. force interoperability when deployed overseas as 
a coalition partner. 
 
¶4. (SBU) The total number and type of COTS NVDs requested is 
justified in paragraph 14. 
 
¶5. (SBU) CENTCOM Commander's concurrence will be provided 
separately. 
 
¶6. (SBU) The Embassy does not anticipate negative reaction from 
Jordan's neighboring countries.  This action represents no increase 
to their current capabilities, nor is it a technological advancement 
in Jordan's capabilities that is significant enough to affect the 
regional balance of power.  This purchase will not impact the 
foreign policies of Jordan or its neighbors. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Jordan already accounts for, safeguards, operates and 
maintains similar and more sensitive items without difficulty.   In 
October 2008, Jordan received a "successful" rating following the 
Defense Security Cooperation Agency's (DSCA) Compliance Assessment 
Visit (CAV), DSCAs highest rating.   The rating was based on End Use 
Monitoring (EUM) compliance with their three EEUM articles including 
Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), Javelins, and 
NVDs.  Jordan has provided assurances of its intent to provide these 
NVDs with the same degree of security and accountability.  The 
Country Team assesses that Jordan will continue to be a trustworthy 
custodian of sensitive U.S. technologies. 
 
¶8. (SBU) Jordan will not require any in-country operator or 
technical training from U.S. trainers in conjunction with this 
acquisition. 
 
¶9. (SBU) The Country Team does not anticipate any negative impact of 
U.S. in-country presence associated with this acquisition. 
 
¶10. (SBU) Jordan is purchasing these NVDs with Foreign Military 
Financing (FMF). 
 
¶11. (SBU) There are no human rights considerations relevant to the 
proposed acquisition. 
 
¶12. (SBU) These NVDs are enhanced-EUM items and will require 
periodic inventories while in the possession of the Jordanian Armed 
Forces (JAF).  The Military Assistance Program (MAP) in Jordan 
currently has an active EUM system in place with the JAF. 
 
¶13. (SBU) Embassy Amman recommends approval of the transfer of the 
NVDs detailed in para 14.  The recommendation is based on the 
Country Team's assessment that the acquisition will improve Jordan's 
security while representing no political or technological risk to 
the U.S. 
 
¶14. (SBU) Jordan requests five (5) each, Rigel Optics LED Day Night 
Vision Goggles Emergency Sets including:(NVG Emergency Kit, 
Binoculars, Spotting Scope, and 24-volt Spotlight) for use in border 
intrusion detection and apprehension. 
 
¶15. (U) POC this action is MAJ Scott A. Hurley, USA, at 
011-962-6-590-6538 or shurley@san.osd.mil. 
 
 
AMMAN 00001945  002 OF 002 
 
 
BEECROFT