OREANDA-NEWS  The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of the $8.5 billion Patriot system and related equipment to Denmark, the Pentagon said on Saturday.

"The State Department has decided to approve the possible sale of $8.5 billion worth of Patriot complexes and related equipment to the Danish government... Denmark will use these munitions to protect NATO allies and its partners," the statement said.

In particular, the Danish government has requested the purchase of 36 Patriot MIM-104E ballistic missiles with an advanced guidance system, 20 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles, six launch stations, six sets of an integrated network of launchers and other equipment, the Pentagon said.