Washington: The US State Department approved a potential $59 million sale of Sidewinder Missiles to Japan, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.

“The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $59.03 million,” the statement said on Friday.

Japan requested to buy 44 Sidewinder Missiles, as well as 29 training units, the statement said.

The sale would support US foreign policy and national security goals, the statement said. The sale would neither alter the basic military balance of the region nor adversely impact US defense readiness, the statement said.

(With UNI/SPUTNIK inputs)