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| US Sells Advanced Missiles AIM 9X Block II And AGM-154 To Potential NATO Members |
Washington - The United States Department of Defense (US) on Monday announced approval for the sale of the $323 million AIM 9X Block II advanced missile and AGM-154 Joint Stand Off Weapons to Finland. "The proposed sale will enhance Finland's air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons capabilities and will have a positive impact on US relations with countries in the Nordic region," the Pentagon said in a statement. 11/2022).
The US agreed to sell 40 units of AIM 9X Block II missiles. Meanwhile, the approved AGM-154 Joint Stand Off Weapons missile was sold in 48 units. The announcement comes more than nine months after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which prompted Finland and Sweden to officially apply to become NATO's new members. Only Turkey and Hungary have yet to formally approve the two Nordic countries' membership in NATO.
The US Department of State approved the sale of the weapons, and the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on Wednesday provided the necessary notification to Congress. Members of Parliament still need to sign off on transactions, but that's likely to be a formality.
"The sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by enhancing the security of trusted partners, who are critical forces for political stability and economic progress in Europe," the Pentagon said.