The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) has announced that the US State Department has approved the sale of military helicopters and related equipment to Australia at an estimated cost of $1.95 billion as Australia seeks to increase its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Pentagon added that Australia has ordered 40 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, with Lockheed Martin as the main contractor.

Over the past few years, Australia has increased its defense spending and China is seeking to increase its presence in the Indo-Pacific region. Last year, Australia struck a deal to buy nuclear submarines from the US and the UK.

In May, the US State Department approved the sale of mobile rocket launchers to Australia, as well as several arms sales to allies, worth up to $3.1 billion.

The approval of the State Department at this stage effectively ensures that sales can continue.