France To Get American Hellfire Missiles For African Operations

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has approved sale of up to 200 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles to France for use in Mali and North African operations.

The $30 million sale also includes related military gear such as conversion kits, blast fragmentation sleeves, and installation kits and containers, were also approved.

France requested the military equipment for its Tiger attack helicopter and will use it against insurgents in Mali and North Africa, the DSCA said, in a statement Wednesday.

France launched an operation, involving hundreds of its troops, in Mali in 2013 to tackle Islamic extremists.

“This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the capability of a NATO ally. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” the DSCA stated.

“There is no principal contractor for this sale as the missiles are coming from U.S. Army stock. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”