The US State Department has approved a potential $700 million sale of a missile defense system to the United Kingdom, Reuters reports.

The approval came amid a surge in requests from European countries to purchase more US-made weapons amid the Ukrainian crisis.

The British government, which likely began negotiating a deal long before the crisis escalated, wants to buy a missile defense radar and two command and control systems from Lockheed Martin Corp.

The State Department noted that the sale would support US foreign policy goals by enhancing the security of a NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.