The United States on Wednesday approved a $1.07 billion sale of advanced air-to-air missiles and related defense equipment to Finland, a NATO member that shares an extensive border with Russia.
According to a statement from the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the proposed deal will strengthen Finland’s ability to counter current and emerging threats while enhancing its interoperability with U.S. and allied forces.
The DSCA also noted that the sale aligns with broader U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives, reinforcing the defense posture of a NATO partner that contributes to political stability and economic development in Europe.
The U.S. State Department has given its approval for the potential sale, and the DSCA has formally notified Congress, which must still authorize the transaction before it proceeds.
Finland, along with neighboring Sweden, ended decades of military non-alignment and formally joined NATO following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
