U.S. approves possible $1.22 billion sale of air-to-air missiles to Australia

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department has approved a potential sale of air-to-air missiles to Australia worth an estimated $1.22 billion (£842.7 million), the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement on Monday after notifying Congress of the possible deal.

The Australian government has requested up to 450 advanced medium-range AIM-120D air-to-air missiles manufactured by Raytheon. The so-called AMRAAM missiles would be used by the Royal Australian Air Force's F/A-18, E/A-18G and F-35 aircraft, the DSCA statement said.