The US State Department has approved sale of eight C-17 aircraft along with logistics support services, and equipment for an estimated cost of $400 million to United Kingdom.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale Monday.

The Government of the United Kingdom has requested a possible sale of continued logistics support for eight C-17 aircraft which will include: contract labor for sustainment engineering, on-site COMSEC support, Quality Assurance, support equipment repair, supply chain management, spares replenishment, maintenance, back shop support, centralized maintenance support/associated services, and additional spare and repair parts, publications and technical documentation.

Required upgrades will include fixed installation satellite antenna, Mode 5+ installation and sustainment, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out, Communications Modernization (CNS/ATM) Phase II, Replacement Heads-Up Display and three special operations loading ramps.

The proposed sale of defense articles and services are required to maintain the operational readiness of the Royal Air Force. The United Kingdom's current contract supporting its C-17 aircraft will expire in September 2017. The United Kingdom will have no difficulty absorbing this support into its armed forces.

The prime contractor will be Boeing.