By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON (AA) - The Biden administration approved on Thursday the sale of 35 F-35 fighter jets, munitions and associated equipment to Germany in a prospective sale worth $8.4 billion.
In addition to the nearly three-dozen F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) aircraft, the deal includes 37 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, hundreds of missiles and bombs, simulators and contractor support, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.
"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally that is an important force for political and economic stability in Europe," the agency said.
It will also "improve Germany’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a suitable replacement for Germany’s retiring Tornado aircraft fleet in support of NATO’s nuclear sharing mission, the centerpiece for deterrence in Europe," it added.
Congress was notified about the possible sale on Thursday.
The notification to lawmakers sets off a 30-day legislative review period in which Congress can pass a joint resolution disapproving the sale, but it has never been able to successfully block a transaction, according to the Congressional Research Service.