In a statement released Tuesday, the Defense Department said it had notified lawmakers of the intended sale of 50 AIM-120C Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM).

"The proposed sale will enhance the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a key regional partner who has proven to be a vital force for political stability and peace in the Middle East," the Pentagon statement said.

The Defense Department said Jordan needs the missiles to improve the capabilities of its F-16 jets and to work better with US forces.

"The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region," the Pentagon said, adding that "there will be no adverse impact on US defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale."

In August, reports in Israel said the government, fearing that Jordan could eventually sell the AMRAAM system to Egypt, had written to members of the US Congress in an attempt to torpedo the sale.

Opposition to the deal was led by Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, who were both concerned about the idea of Israel's large southern neighbor Egypt possessing such advanced weaponry, according to the reports.

In 1979, Egypt became the first Arab country to make peace with the Jewish state, and Israel concluded a peace treaty with Jordan in 1994.

Senior US officials had said in August that the opposition was unlikely to succeed in blocking the sale.

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