UK gets approval to buy missile defenses from U.S.

The U.S. State Department said it approved on Thursday the potential sale of a $700 million missile defense system to the United Kingdom.

The approval comes amid a surge in requests for European countries to purchase more U.S.-produced weaponry as the Russian invasion of Ukraine drives an increasingly uncertain security outlook.

The British government, which likely began negotiating the deal long before the invasion of Ukraine three weeks ago, seeks to buy a ballistic missiles defense radar and two command and control battle management and communications systems made by Lockheed Martin Corp.

The State Department noted the sale would support U.S. foreign policy goals "by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe."