A launch truck fires the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) at its intended target during the African Lion military exercise in Grier Labouihi complex, southern Morocco. (Photo by AP)

Washington, July 18 (RHC)-- The U.S. State Department has approved $1.5 billion worth of weapon sales to foreign allies, including the sale of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to Estonia, missiles to Norway and torpedoes to South Korea.

The package approved for Estonia – bordering Russia -- would include up to six M142 HIMARS launchers, munitions, support equipment, spares and technical support, the US Defense Department announced in Washington, DC.

The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency further notified US Congress of the possible arms sale to Estonia as well as the two other foreign military sales later on Friday.

The State Department's separate approvals of the potential sale of medium-range air-to-air missiles and related equipment for Norway in a deal valued at up to $950 million and MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes to South Korea for an estimated value of $130 million were also made public on Friday.

The weapon deals were announced as European countries have come under pressure by Washington to increase their arms purchases following the onset of Russia’s special military operation in neighboring Ukraine after the US-led NATO military alliance refused to address Moscow’s demands for security guarantees amid Kiev’s reported bid to join NATO.