Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register WASHINGTON, July 15 (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of HIMARS missile systems to Estonia, missiles to Norway and torpedoes to South Korea in separate deals that could total more than $1.5 billion, the Pentagon said . Friday. The sales come as European countries ramp up arms purchases following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, heightening security fears across the region. HIMARS systems donated by the United States and allies are being used by Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register The package approved for Estonia will include up to six M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers, ammunition, support equipment, spare parts and technical support, the Pentagon said. The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the potential sale to Estonia along with the other two foreign military sales on Friday. Separate State Department approvals for the potential sale of medium-range air-to-air missiles and related equipment to Norway in a deal worth up to $950 million and MK 54 light torpedoes to South Korea for an estimated $130 million were also made public on Friday. Despite the State Department’s approval, the notification does not indicate that contracts have been signed or that negotiations have been completed. The Pentagon said Lockheed Martin Corp was the prime contractor for the HIMARS systems and Raytheon Technologies was the prime contractor for up to 205 AIM-120 C-8 or D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air missiles. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Reporting by Tim Ahman and Mike Stone in Washington. edited by Jonathan Oatis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
