France approved for additional Hellfire missiles

WASHINGTON, May 3 (UPI) -- France has received U.S. State Department approval for the purchase of additional Hellfire missiles through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program.

The new French request is specifically for an additional 200 Lockheed Martin AGM-114K1A Hellfire missiles, Hellfire missile conversion, blast fragmentation sleeves and installation kits, containers, and transportation.

The total estimated cost of the deal is $30 million.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which manages the FMS program, said in its notification to Congress that the additional missiles will meet France's operational requirements for a precision guided tactical missile for its Tigre Attack Helicopter.

"The purchase will directly support French forces actively engaged in operations in Mali and Northern Africa, providing them the capability to successfully engage targets with minimal collateral damage.

The new missiles and equipment requested would be added to an earlier $42 million deal for 112 AGM-114K1A Hellfire missiles, 102 AGM-114N1A Hellfire missiles, 50 ATM-114Q1A Hellfire training missiles, plus other equipment. Some of the equipment has already been delivered to France.