WASHINGTON, 10 October 2021, (TON): The State Department said “the US government has decided to sell 12 attack helicopters and an electronic warfare plane to Australia for more than a billion dollars.”

Australia, which recently signed a strategic defense alliance with the United States and Britain as a way to counter a rising China, had asked to acquire 12 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and accompanying equipment to the tune of 985 million dollars.

President Joe Biden’s administration has told Congress it decided to go ahead with this sale, the State Department said.

The helicopters are multi-mission aircraft that can be deployed on a ship for operations against surface vessels or submarines, but also for rescue, refueling or transport purposes.

The State Department said “Australia also asked to buy a Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic warfare plane and the US agreed.”

The State Department said “Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific.”

It added “the strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. It is vital to the US national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.”