US approves missile sales to South Korea, Japan

United States has approved more than 600 million dollar in sales of air defense missiles to South Korea and Japan as tensions return with North Korea.

The State Department yesterday said it had approved 94 SM-2 missiles used by ships against air threats, along with 12 guidance systems for a total cost of  313.9 million dollar.

It



separately gave the green light to sell 160 anti-air AMRAAM missiles and related guidance equipment to Japan for 317 million dollar.

A State Department statement said that the sales will support the US foreign policy and national security objectives by assisting key allies and will not alter the basic military balance in the region.