US gives final nod to sale of billion-dollar arms cache to Pak

The U.S. State Department has reportedly given a final nod to Pakistan's request for military hardware and equipment worth billions of dollars, recognizing the nation's vital place in U.S. foreign policy and national interests.

A certification issued by the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency notified the Congress of this possible sale. It said that the proposed sale would provide Pakistan the required military support to carry on its counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in South Asia, reported the Dawn.

The certification added that the weapons would provide Pakistan with "a precision strike, enhanced survivability aircraft" that it can operate at high-altitudes. It assured lawmakers that the sale will not "alter the basic military balance in the region."

The document informed the Congress that the State Department had approved the sale of AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters, AGM-114R Hellfire II Missiles and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of 952 million dollars.

Diplomatic sources said that Pakistan had submitted the request last year, saying that the weapons were needed for counter-terrorism operations in the country's mountainous regions.

The notification said the government of Pakistan had requested a possible sale of 15 AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters, 32 T-700 GE 401C Engines (30 installed and 2 spares), 1000 AGM-114 R Hellfire II Missiles in containers, 36 H-1 Technical Refresh Mission computers, 17 AN/AAQ-30 Target Sight Systems, 30 629F-23 Ultra High Frequency/Very High Frequency Communication Systems, 19 H-764 Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems, 32 Helmet Mounted Display/Optimized Top Owl, 17 APX-117A Identification Friend or Foe, 17 AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems, 17 AN/ALE-47 Counter-measure Dispenser Sets, 18 AN/APR-39C(V)2 Radar Warning Receivers, 15 Joint Mission Planning Systems, and 17 M197 20mm Gun Systems.