The U.S. State Department has approved a possible sale to South Korea of 400 air-to-surface Hellfire missiles as well as related equipment, parts and support, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Thursday.
  

South Korea has asked to buy 400 AGM-114R1 Hellfire II Semi-Active Laser Missiles with containers, 100 ATM-114Q Air Training Missiles, and 12 M36E8 Hellfire II Captive Air Training Missiles from Lockheed Martin, the agency said in a statement.
  

The estimated cost is $81 million, it said.
  

The State Department decided to approve the request and notified Congress on Monday of the possible sale, it said.
  

"This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by meeting the legitimate security and defense needs of an ally and partner nation," the agency said.
  

"The ROK is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific and a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in that region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our Korean ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability," it said.
  

South Korea intends to use these Hellfire missiles to supplement its existing missile capability and current weapon inventory, the agency said, adding that the new missiles will contribute to South Korea's force modernization goals and enhance interoperability with U.S. forces.
  

"The ROK will use this enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats," it said.
   

The missiles can be fired from helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. (Yonhap)