The UK is expected to receive 500 AGM-114R Hellfire II Semi-Active Laser (SAL) missiles and associated equipment, while Finland will obtain 40 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) M31A1 Unitary and GMLRS M30A1 Alternative Warhead Rockets in Pods.
France and the UK will use weaponry purchased from the US for the sub-Saharan Africa campaign and against ISIL respectively.
Arms sold to Finland are meant to "improve the security of a friendly country" and its "capability to meet current and future threats," as the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency put it in the press release.
"Finland will use this enhanced capability to strengthen and secure its national borders," the press release added. It did not name the threats Helsinki might face but was surely referring to Russia.
The deals have not been closed yet but they all received the required authorization.
For Pentagon, the proposed sales of equipment and support "will not alter the basic military balance in the region." In fact, they will since they are part of a large-scale campaign which has already seen the US and NATO buildup their military muscle in Europe using a non-existent threat from Russia as a pretext, as the press release clearly shows.
I look forward to strengthen Nordic & Nordic-Baltic coop, to safeguard shared security & protect shared values — @jensstoltenberg #NORDEFCO
— Oana Lungescu (@NATOpress) 10 ноября 2015
On Tuesday, while on a visit in Sweden, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called for greater defense cooperation between the alliance, its Nordic allies and partners, as well as the Baltic nations. He named Russia's military activity from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean as one of security challenges which NATO has to address.
Moscow, as well as many foreign officials and experts have repeatedly stated that Russia poses no threat to any nation, whether it is a NATO member or not.
