The U.S. State Department on Monday approved a potential sale of an arms package worth nearly 300 million euros to Finland.
The approval of the proposed sale comes as Finland, which shares a border with Russia, is seeking to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
«This proposed sale will support U.S. foreign policy and national security by enhancing the security of a trusted partner that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,» the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency explained in a statement.
«It is vital to the U.S. national interest to help Finland develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,» the agency has added.
The State Department has also assured that this proposal «will not alter the basic military balance in the region,» while indicating that the sale will improve air and ground weapons capabilities.
The US Administration has stated that Helsinki intends to use the weapons for its fleet of fighter planes.
