WASHINGTON — The State Department said it notified Congress on Thursday of plans to sell Egypt a massive $4.67 billion worth of four NASAMS air defense systems along with extended-range air interceptor missiles, marking a new step toward bolstering Egypt’s air defenses amid Iranian missile threats to the region over the past year.

The announcement includes 100 extended-range Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs), 100 Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-120C-8 AMRAAMs, two AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance sections, 600 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles, 150 AIM-9X Sidewinder Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs), 62 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical guidance units (GUs), and 20 AIM-9X Sidewinder CATM GUs, according to the press release.

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major non-NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East," the Pentagon said in a press release.

"The proposed sale will improve Egypt’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its ability to detect various air threats," the release noted, adding, "The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region."