State Dept. approves $4B in foreign military aid sales

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - The U.S. State Department has approved more than $4 billion in potential foreign military sales to Denmark, Hungary, Japan, Lithuania and South Korea.

The lion’s share was to Japan which will receive up to 73 Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) with support for an estimated cost of $3.3 billion, according to the statements Tuesday by Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which provides aid and training to U.S. allies.

Hungary's request of 180 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) to modernize its armed forces and expand its capability to deter regional threats was also approved by State Department at an estimated cost of $500 million.

A total of 500 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles worth $171 million was approved for Lithuania, South Korea will receive 31 MK 54 All Up Round lightweight torpedoes with support at an estimated cost of $72 million.

And Denmark request of nine AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) systems and 600 AN/SSQ-36/53/62 Sonobuoys with support for an estimated cost of $200 million was approved.

The proposed sales will be finalized following a 15- or 30-day congressional review period, depending on the country.

Congress can object during that period and could block the sales up until delivery.