WASHINGTON

The US State Department approved the possible sale of AIM-120D-3 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles to Germany, the Pentagon said Thursday.

The estimated cost is $1.23 billion, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.

"The proposed sale will improve Germany’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing increased air-to-air capability for the German F-35 program and supporting German and shared NATO planning, training and operational requirements," it said in a statement.

The principal contractor will be RTX Corporation, located in Arlington, Virginia.