The United States has approved the sale of advanced air-to-air missiles and related equipment to Finland in a deal valued at $1.07 billion, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on Wednesday.

“The proposed sale will improve Finland’s capability to meet current and future threats and enhance its interoperability with US and other allied forces,” the DSCA said in a statement.

The agency added that the sale “will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.”

The proposed transaction, which requires US Congress approval, was notified to lawmakers following clearance by the State Department.

Finland, which shares a long border with Russia, joined NATO in 2022 alongside Sweden, ending decades of military non-alignment. The shift followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier that year.

The missile sale is part of broader efforts to enhance Finland’s defense capabilities and strengthen its integration with NATO forces.