WASHINGTON - The United States government on Monday approved a deal for US firms to sell its close ally Australia $1.22 billion in air-to-air missiles and support equipment.
A Royal Australian Air Force FA-18 Hornet performs during the Australian International Airshow at the Avalon Airfield near Lara southwest of Melbourne on February 27, 2015
The main contractor for the major shipment will be Arizona-based arms giant Raytheon, which produces the AIM-120D medium-range missile.
Up to 450 of the weapons will arm the Royal Australian Air Force's FA-18 Hornet and F-35 Lightning fighters and the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jet.
This will give the "RAAF additional air-to-air intercept capability and increase interoperability with the US Air Force," the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.
Australia is a key US ally in the Asia Pacific region and has contributed to forces to allied counter-terror operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.