Pentagon says US plans to sell Jordan new tanks

The Defense Department announced Thursday the proposed sale to Jordan of 100 advanced tanks with night-vision sights. The $160 million sale of M-60A3 tanks, subject to a vote by Congress, was the first part of what was expected to be a 200-tank package, administration officials said. Congress has the power to block the sale, which is opposed by the Israeli government, within the next 30 days. But congressional aides predicted it would be approved.

Meanwhile, the department also proposed the sale of more than $3 billion worth of advanced US jet planes to Australia. It said the deal would offer the Australians a choice between 75 F-16 fighters or the same number of F-18 fighter-attack aircraft.