Saturday, May 7 2005 11:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: The Pentagon has notified the US Congress of a proposed sale of anti-ship missiles to Pakistan, including 40 air-launched and 20 ground-launched Harpoon Block II missiles and associated equipment valued at about $ 180 million.

The proposed sale would also include 300 Sidewinder missiles, a release said yesterday (May 6, 2005).

The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency, which handles foreign arms sales for the Pentagon, informed the Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan of 40 AGM-84L and 20 RGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $ 180 million, it said.

The US had on March 25 cleared the supply of about two-dozen nuclear-capable F-16 fighter planes to Pakistan and in an apparent balancing exercise paved the way for sale of the same aircraft and offered civilian nuclear energy cooperation with India.

Pakistan intends to use the purchase to upgrade and modernise its existing Harpoon missile capability, it said.

"The modernisation will enhance Pakistan's legitimate self-defence capability," the Pentagon told Congress, which has 30 days to move to block any such Government-to-Government arms sale.

"The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be a key ally in the global war on terrorism," it said, adding the proposed sales will not affect the basic military balance in the region.