WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US State Department has approved a possible $30-million worth sale of air-to-surface Hellfire Missiles and associated equipment to France, the Defense Cooperation Agency said in a press release on Monday.
"The estimated MDE [Major Defense Equipment] cost in this amendment is $25 million. The total estimated cost is $30 million," the release stated.
The Defense Cooperation Agency noted that the French government has previously requested 264 Hellfire Missiles of different models.
The associate equipment includes warhead mock-ups, training missiles and spare parts, according to the press release.
"The purchase will directly support French forces actively engaged in operations in Mali and Northern Africa, providing them the capability to successfully engage targets with minimal collateral damage," the release added.
The defense agency noted that the sale will also boost US security by enabling capabilities of a NATO ally.
