Separate deals to Estonia, Norway, and South Korea have been authorized.
On Friday, the State Department approved the potential sales of high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) to Estonia, missiles to Norway, and torpedoes to South Korea, in separate deals that would be worth more than $1.5 billion total.
The sales come as European countries increase arms purchases after Russia invaded Ukraine, heightening security fears across the region. The HIMARS systems donated by the U.S. and allies are already employed by Ukraine.
The Pentagon said Lockheed Martin Corp. is the prime contractor for the HIMARS systems and Raytheon Technologies is the prime contractor for the up to 205 AIM-120 C-8 or D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air missiles.
Even though the State Department has approved the sales, its notification does not indicate that contracts have been signed or that negotiations have concluded.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Blinken and State Department officials as they assess the benefits of arms and missile sales to other nations.
- For Pentagon officials as they monitor the defense needs of the U.S. in supplying other countries.
Sources: Newsmax, Reuters
