'Brunei wants to buy missiles'

'Brunei wants to buy missiles'

WASHINGTON (Reuter): The Defense Department notified Congress on Tuesday that Brunei wants to buy 48 Harpoon anti-ship cruise missiles built by McDonnell Douglas for US$57 million.

It said Brunei planned to put the missiles on patrol boats and said the sale was consistent with U.S. policy of helping friendly nations provide for their own defense.

Other countries must buy major U.S. weapons from the American government, not manufacturers. Congress must be notified to give it an opportunity to block the sale, an action it almost never takes.