An Apache helicopter is seen during the 30th Wings Over Houston Air Show at the Ellington airport in Houston, the United States, Nov. 1, 2014. (Xinhua/Zhang Yongxing)

Despite the approval by the State Department, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency's notification to Congress does not guarantee the sale, nor does it indicate that a contract with the manufacturers has been signed.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of State has approved the potential sale of Apache attack helicopters and related equipment to Poland for an estimated value of 12 billion U.S. dollars, the Department of Defense said Monday.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), an arm of the Pentagon responsible for providing military assistance to U.S. allies, said in a statement that it "delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale" in light of the State Department's determination.

According to the DSCA, Poland has requested 96 Apache attack helicopters and related equipment, including 1,844 Hellfire missiles and 508 Stinger missiles, from the United States. Boeing and Lockheed Martin have been named the principal contractors for the weapons.

Despite the approval by the State Department, the DSCA's notification to Congress does not guarantee the sale, nor does it indicate that a contract with the manufacturers has been signed, according to U.S. media reports.

Bordering Ukraine to the east, Poland has made boosting its national defense a priority since the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in February 2022. ■