On July 10, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of seven Patriot Configuration-3+ firing units worth up to $3.9 billion. In addition to the necessary technical equipment to operate the system (radars, control station, antenna, launching stations and electrical power plants), the State Department approved the purchase of 56 Patriot MIM-104E Guidance Enhanced Missile-TBM (GEM-T) missiles and 168 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missiles. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said, “This proposed sale will enhance the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a NATO ally that has been, and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress within Europe.” The sale is subject to congressional approval before final negotiations may begin.