US State Department approves possible sale of rocket systems to Canada

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US State Department has approved the possible sale of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and related equipment to Canada, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

The estimated cost is $1.75 billion, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.

"The proposed sale will improve Canada’s ability to meet current and future threats by providing the M142 HIMARS long range precision strike system and munitions.

"This capability will protect Canada by improving Canada’s contribution to collective hemispheric defense and to defense and deterrence in Europe, as directed by NATO’s defense plans," it said.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin, located in Texas.