WASHINGTON 

The US State Department approved a possible sale to Peru of F-16 aircraft and related elements of logistics and program support, the Pentagon said Monday.

The estimated cost is $3.42 billion, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.

"The proposed sale will enhance the Peruvian Air Force’s ability to control its sovereign airspace, defend its territorial borders, and conduct precision air-to-ground attack operations in support of ground forces in counter-narcotics and counterterrorism operations," it added.

The principal contractors will be Lockheed Martin, General Electric Aerospace and RTX Corporation.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the possible sale on Monday.