The US government announced Thursday that it has approved the sale of Stinger man-portable anti-aircraft missiles to Finland, valued at $380 million, as the traditionally nonaligned country prepares to join NATO.
The Finnish government wants to buy 350 Stinger missiles, which are carried on the shoulder, and their equipment. This sale of sensitive equipment had to be previously approved by the US government, the cooperation agency of the US Department of Defense said.
defense and deterrence
If confirmed, this sale “will enhance Finland’s defense and deterrence capabilities,” the statement said.
“This crucial weaponry will strengthen ground and air defense capabilities on Europe’s eastern flank and support the priorities of the US Army’s European Command,” it pleads.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finland and Sweden submitted a joint offer to join the Atlantic Alliance in May, abandoning decades of military nonalignment.
This, which must be unanimously accepted by all 30 NATO member states, has been ratified by all except Turkey and Hungary.
Source: BFM TV
