Pentagon moves to sell Pakistan anti-ship missiles

The Pentagon notified congress on Friday of a proposed sale to Pakistan of 40 air-launched and 20 ground-launched Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles and related materials valued at up to $180 million (95 million pounds).
Pakistan, a key ally in the U.S.-declared war on terrorism, plans to use the equipment to modernize its existing Harpoon missile capability, the announcement said.
The Pakistani Navy already has AGM-84 Block I air/surface/subsurface launch capability, it said.
"The modernization will enhance Pakistan's legitimate self-defense capability," the Pentagon told congress, which has 30 days to move to block any such government-to-government arms sale.
The sale would not affect the basic military balance in the region, the notice said.