The US State Department has approved a potential sale of Javelin-type missiles to Brazil for US$74 million (about 374 million reais), which had been stalled for months by high-ranking lawmakers, according to a formal notice. sent to the US Congress on Tuesday (9).
The State Department has given its final endorsement to the package of 222 missiles designed to shoot down and destroy tanks after what several sources said was a Democrat-led effort to block the sale due to concerns over President Jair Bolsonaro (PL), including his attacks. to the Brazilian electoral system.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), linked to the Pentagon, said it had informed Congress about the possible sale of the cutting-edge missiles, which have gained fame for their effective use by Ukrainian forces against Russian armored vehicles.
The missiles are jointly produced by defense companies Raytheon Technologies Corp and Lockheed Martin Corp.
The announcement came a day after Reuters was the first to report the delay in the deal.
Brazil’s offer to acquire the missiles was originally made when former President Donald Trump, an ally of Bolsonaro, was in the White House.
The State Department gave a preliminary nod to the proposal late last year, despite objections from some low-level US officials, according to people familiar with the matter.
But the deal was delayed after it was sent for a confidential “informal” review by the two Democratic presidents and two Republican leaders of the Congressional Foreign Relations Committees.
Senator Bob Menendez and Representative Gregory Meeks, Biden’s fellow Democrats, have peppered the State Department with questions since earlier this year, the sources said.
Many other arms deals were completed within a few months.
It was not immediately clear why senior lawmakers finally allowed the Brazil deal to move forward.
Responding to questions from lawmakers about whether Brazil had a legitimate need for such weaponry, the DSCA said it would improve the security of a key US regional partner and enhance its ability to “face future threats.”
Formally notifying the entire Congress of a proposed arms sale opens a limited window in time — typically 30 days — during which lawmakers can block it by passing a resolution in the House of Representatives and Senate. Such a step is rarely taken, however.
Despite State Department approval, the notification does not indicate that a contract has been signed or that negotiations have been completed.
Source: CNN Brasil
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