The US State Department has approved the potential sale of AH-64E Apache helicopters and related equipment to Poland in a deal worth up to $12 billion, the Pentagon announced on Monday, Reuters and News.ro reported.

Apache attack helicopterPhoto: HotNews.ro / Viktor Kosmei

Poland, a NATO member, has requested 96 Apache attack helicopters and related equipment, including 1,844 Hellfire missiles and 508 Stinger missiles, the Pentagon said.

Poland has made strengthening its military a priority following Russia’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine.

The Pentagon’s National Security and Defense Agency notified the US Congress of this possible sale on Monday.

Despite the approval of the State Department, the notification does not guarantee the signing of the contract and does not mean the end of the negotiations, Reuters notes.

The Pentagon said that Boeing and Lockheed Martin are the main contractors for these weapons.