US approves $1.5bn deal for Peru naval base

The United States said Thursday it had approved a $1.5 billion deal for the expansion of a naval base in Peru, where China has funded a separate mega-port.

The State Department said that Peru requested to buy $1.5 billion in equipment and services as part of its modernization in Callao, the country’s main naval base which is near the international airport in Lima.

The project will bring up to 20 US personnel from the government or private sector to Peru for up to 10 years, the State Department said.

The sale will “improve the security of an important partner which is a force for political stability, peace and economic progress in South America,” the State Department said in a statement.

The United States has a long security partnership with Peru, where lawmakers have authorized the presence of US troops.