US approves $323 million missile sale to Finland

US approves $323 million missile sale to Finland

on November 29, 2022

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In this image released by the US Navy Visual News Service March 19, 2011 shows Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) launches a Tomahawk missile in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn on March 19, 2011. This was one of approximately 110 cruise missiles fired from U.S. and British ships and submarines that targeted about 20 radar and anti-aircraft sites along LibyaÕs Mediterranean coast. Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn is the U.S. Africa Command task force established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya and enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973. UNSCR 1973 authorizes Òall necessary measuresÓ to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by Qadhafi regime forces. JTF Odyssey Dawn is commanded by U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel J. Locklear, III. AFP PHOTO / US NAVY VISUAL NEWS SERVICE / Interior Communications Electrician Fireman Roderick Eubanks / HANDOUT == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS == (Photo by ICEF Roderick Eubanks / US NAVY VISUAL NEWS SERVICE / AFP)

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – The US Defense Department on Monday announced the approval of a $323 million sale of AIM 9X Block II tactical missiles and AGM-154 Joint Stand Off Weapons to Finland.

“The proposed sale will improve Finland’s air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons capabilities and will positively impact US relations with countries in the Nordic region,” the Pentagon said in a statement.

The announcement on the sale of 40 AIM 9Xs and 48 AGM-154s comes more than nine months into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which pushed both Finland and Sweden to seek NATO membership.

The US State Department approved the possible sale, and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Wednesday provided the required notification to Congress.

Lawmakers still need to sign off on the transaction, but that is likely to be a formality.

The sale will “support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a trusted partner, which is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the Pentagon said.

© Agence France-Presse