The State Department has approved a $169 million foreign military sale of Boeing-built missiles to Brazil in an effort to help bolster regional stability in South America, Defense News reported Tuesday.
Marcus Weisgerber writes the government of Brazil will purchase 16 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles, four CATM-84L Harpoon Block II captive air training missiles, spares, training and logistics tools.
Brazil is acquiring the weapons as part of its strategy to modernize anti-surface warfare systems on its fleet of P-3 aircraft, according to the report.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency told Congress Tuesday that Brazil intends to bolster its use of the P-3 for countererrorism programs, maritime border security and offshore asset protection, Defense News reports.
Brazil and Saab reached a deal in December to work together in a move aimed at bolstering public-private cooperation in the country and furthering foreign military sales deals.