KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 — The US State Department has approved a US$21 million (RM74 million) missile sale to Malaysia as well as a US$47 million (RM168.7 million) deal to Indonesia, according to a report from US magazine The Diplomat.

The magazine said the approvals were part of a set of five deals worth some US$3.5 billion cleared for US allies and partners in the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific.

The report stated that US laws require that sales of arms to foreign countries must first be approved by its Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which acts as an intermediary between foreign governments and arms contractors.

“The Malaysia sale involves AIM-120C7 AMRAAM missiles and associated equipment, parts, and logistical support for an estimated cost of US$21 million,” The Diplomat said.

According to the DSCA, the sale will “ensure sustained air-to-air capability for Malaysia’s existing F/A-18D aircraft while also enhancing Malaysia’s interoperability with the United States.”

The report added that DSCA’s official statement on the matter refers to Malaysia as a “key partner which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in Southeast Asia”.

Malaysia is currently regarded as an important ally to the US as it seeks to cement the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement agreement involving 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is also expected to pay an official visit to Washington later this year.