In a deal valued at $2.35 billion, the U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of 400 Tomahawk missiles and related equipment to Japan, the Pentagon announced on Friday.
This announcement comes in the wake of U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s agreement to open a presidential hotline, resume military-to-military communications, and work to curb fentanyl production, showcasing tangible progress in their first face-to-face talks in a year.
The package would include 400 Tomahawk missiles, 14 Tactical Tomahawk Weapon Control Systems, software, support equipment, spares and technical support, according to the Pentagon.
The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible sale on Friday.
Despite the approval by the State Department, the notification does not indicate that a contract has been signed or that negotiations have concluded.
The Pentagon also disclosed that Raytheon is the principal contractor for the weapons.
(Reporting by Mike Stone, Ismail Shakil and Costas Pitas; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
