WASHINGTON
The State Department approved a $1 billion sale of attack helicopters, missiles and logistical support to Pakistan.
The sale includes 15 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and 1,000 AGM-114R Hellfire II missiles, associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support with an estimated cost of $952 million, according to a statement by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which provides financial, technical and other services to U.S. allies.
"This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a country vital to U.S. foreign policy and national security goals in South Asia," the statement said.
The helicopters and weapon systems will contribute to Pakistan's counterterrorism and counter-insurgency operations in South Asia, the agency said but added that the equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf denied that the additional equipment could be used to assist in Saudi-led operations in Yemen, which Pakistan may join, saying that doing so would not be "very cost effective."
"When it comes to these capabilities, they are for internal counterterrorism uses inside Pakistan, just to be very clear about that, going after terrorists inside their own country. So this is what it's designed to do," she told reporters. "I think the Pakistanis want these because they have a problem in their own country that they need to work on."
The sale requires congressional approval in 30 days. If lawmakers do not object in the given period, the sale will be automatically approved.
