US State Department approves possible sale to Australia of fighter jet spare parts

The Pentagon logo is seen behind the podium in the briefing room at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., January 8, 2020. REUTERS/Al Drago/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. State Department approved a possible foreign military sale to Australia of fighter jet spare parts for $2 billion, the Pentagon said in a statement, adding the principle contractor will be Boeing.

Australia had requested to buy the equipment related to the sustainment of its Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet, and the EA-18G Growler jet which is mainly used in electronic warfare roles such as radar jamming.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh, Ismail Shakil and Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese)