The United States has approved a possible $800 million military sale to Iraq featuring Bell 412EPX and Bell 407M helicopters, along with weapons, sensors, communications systems and support equipment. The US State Department said Monday that the proposed deal is aimed at strengthening Iraq’s security capabilities and improving its ability to respond to present and […] The post US approves military sale of helicopters to Iraq for $800m appeared first on Tribune Online .
The United States has approved a possible $800 million military sale to Iraq featuring Bell 412EPX and Bell 407M helicopters, along with weapons, sensors, communications systems and support equipment.
The US State Department said Monday that the proposed deal is aimed at strengthening Iraq’s security capabilities and improving its ability to respond to present and emerging threats.
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Beyond the helicopters, the package includes GAU-19 three-barrel machine guns, rocket systems, electro-optical/infrared sensors and missile launch detection systems. It also provides radios, spare parts and ground support equipment.
The proposed arrangement includes training for Iraqi pilots and maintenance personnel, as well as engineering, technical and logistics support from the US government and contractors.
According to the department, the sale would advance US foreign policy and national security interests by reinforcing the capabilities of Iraq, which it described as a strategic partner.
The package is also expected to expand Iraq’s rotary-wing transport and reconnaissance capabilities while improving its capacity for air-to-surface targeting, the department said.
(TRT World)
