The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of for Lockheed Martin C-130J transports and associated equipment to France.

The proposed deal under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program -- administered by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency -- would be worth an estimated $650 million.

In addition to two C-120Js and two KC-130Js with Rolls-Royce AE-2100 engines, France's shopping list includes spare engines, AN/ALE 47 electronic counter-measure dispensers, AN/AAR-47A(V)2 missile warning systems, AN/ALR-56M radar warning receivers, embedded Global Positioning/Inertial Navigation systems, and radios.

"It is vital to U.S. national interests to assist the French Air Force to increase its airlift, air refueling, and air drop capabilities," DSCA said in its notification to Congress. "These aircraft will provide these capabilities and will be used to support national, NATO, United Nations, and other coalition operations."