Trump OKs potential $6.5B F-35 sale to Poland

The Trump administration has formally notified Congress of a potential $6.5 billion sale of F-35 fighter jets to Poland.

Details of the sale, posted to the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) website on Wednesday, include 32 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, equipment and support.

The State Department notified lawmakers of the sale on Tuesday.{mosads}

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally, which is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the DSCA statement reads.

The release adds that the potential sale “will provide Poland with a credible defense capability to deter aggression in the region and ensure interoperability with U.S. forces.”

Poland in May requested to buy two batches of the F-35A from the U.S.

The administration’s decision to sell the jets to the NATO ally follows President Trump’s announcement in June that he is sending 1,000 additional troops to Poland in an effort to strengthen the U.S.’s alliance with the nation.

Warsaw had requested the additional troops to deter potential aggression from Russia. The U.S. already has 4,000 service members in Poland.

Trump, during a joint press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda, also said that Warsaw would buy the Lockheed Martin-made F-35, marking the deal with a flyover of one of the jets over the White House.

The deal is expected to anger Moscow, whose lawmakers have vowed to retaliate after Trump announced the additional 1,000 troops.

Sergei Ryabkov, a Russian deputy foreign minister, reportedly said at the time that the move could indicate “aggressive intentions” from the White House.

The United States and Poland also earlier this month signed an agreement to cooperate on new 5G technology.

Trump was scheduled to visit Poland to sign the agreement, but canceled the trip due to Hurricane Dorian and sent Vice President Pence in his place.