"The proposed sale will improve Germany's capability to meet current and future threats by providing increased air-to-air capability for the German F-35 program and supporting German and shared NATO planning, training, and operational requirements," the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.

It will also "support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe," DSCA said.

The State Department approved the possible sale of the missiles to Germany and DSCA provided the required notification to the US Congress, which still needs to sign off on the transaction.

The US announcement came after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed to take "all necessary measures to ensure effective deterrence against... violations of airspace and other attacks by the Russian military."

Recent weeks have seen Russia send fighter jets and drones into the airspace of NATO members Poland and Romania, followed by suspicious drone flights near airports in Denmark and Norway.

Merz's government has also blamed Moscow for multiple drone sightings over German military and industrial sites.