WASHINGTON

The US State Department approved the possible sale of TOW missiles to Saudi Arabia at an estimated cost of $440 million, the Pentagon said Thursday.

"The proposed sale will improve the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing the strength of its homeland defense," it said in a statement.

The principal contractor will be RTX Corporation in Tucson, Arizona.

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