U.S. State Dep't Approves Arms Sales Worth $1.5-B

The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) rocket systems to Estonia, missiles to Norway, and torpedoes to South Korea in separate transactions that could total more than $1.5 billion, the Pentagon announced on Friday, July 15, 2022, as reported by Mike Stone and Tim Ahman of Reuters.

Photo Insert: The package approved for Estonia would consist of up to six M142 HIMARS launchers, munitions, support equipment, spares, and technical assistance.

After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, European nations have increased their armament procurement, creating security concerns throughout the area. Ukraine employs HIMARS equipment given by the United States and its allies in its conflict with Russia.

According to the Pentagon, the package approved for Estonia would consist of up to six M142 HIMARS launchers, munitions, support equipment, spares, and technical assistance.

Friday, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency informed Congress of the potential sale to Estonia, in addition to two other foreign military purchases.

Separate authorization of the prospective sale of medium-range air-to-air missiles and supporting equipment to Norway for up to $950 million and MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes to South Korea for an estimated $130 million were also made public by the State Department on Friday.

The notification does not indicate that contracts have been signed or that discussions have completed, notwithstanding State Department permission.

Lockheed Martin Corporation was the primary contractor for the HIMARS systems, while Raytheon Technologies was the prime contractor for up to 205 AIM-120 C-8 or D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles, according to the Pentagon.

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