The US State Department has approved a $ 3.5 billion cost of Patriot air and missile defense system sales to Turkiye.

"The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Turkiye of eighty Patriot MIM-104E Guidance Enhanced Missiles, sixty PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.5 billion," the statement read, released by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

"This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a key NATO Ally on the front lines of the fight against terrorism," said the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

An agreement was signed last year between Turkiye and Russia that Turkiye purchased S-400 air defense systems from Russia. While the agreement caused tension between the US and Turkiye, the United Stated threatened Turkiye with sanctions over the allegations that the S-400 is not compatible with NATO systems. (ILKHA)