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WASHINGTON D.C.: The Pentagon said this week that the U.S. State Department has approved arms and equipment sales worth more than $2 billion, including Patriot missiles for the Netherlands, cruise missiles for Australia, and oceanographic observation equipment for the UAE.

The sales come amidst Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the growing willingness of countries to invest in weapons systems.

The Pentagon said the Netherlands would receive 96 Patriot missiles, and Raytheon Technologies would be the prime contractor for the final deal, worth some $1.2 billion.

Australia will purchase 80 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles, or extended-range cruise missiles made by Lockheed Martin, which can be launched from F/A-18 Super Hornets and F-35 jet fighters. That sale could be worth as much as $235 million.

The sale to the UAE of a $206 million oceanographic observation equipment system manufactured by Lockheed Martin, which includes multi-site sensors and remote data collection facilities, was also approved.

The State Department further authorized the sale of various Raytheon and Lockheed-made weapons to Kuwait, including air-to-air missiles and bombs.

Despite the approval of the State Department, the notification does not indicate whether contracts have been signed or negotiations have been completed.

The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible sale this week.