Chile: Any U.S. missile, radar deal under $665 million

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Chile: Any U.S. missile, radar deal under $665 million
Thu Nov 12, 2009 6:45pm EST

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile's government said on Thursday any eventual purchase of U.S. missiles and radar equipment will be "infinitely lower" than a possible $665 million purchase the Pentagon has disclosed.
The Pentagon on Thursday advised the U.S. Congress of the possible sale of stinger missiles worth about $455 million, AIM medium-range missiles worth $145 million and Sentinel radar systems worth $65 million.

The notice of the proposed sale is required by U.S. law and the U.S. Congress has the power to reject a transaction, although it rarely does so.

"Those are the maximum figures. If the Chilean Air Force and Army eventually buy those systems in the United States, it will be for an infinitely inferior figure, because the needs do not correspond to those financial amounts," Chilean Defense Minister Francisco Vidal told reporters.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE5AB5WU20091112?rpc=401