Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The US State Department authorized on Monday the potential $800 million foreign military sale to supply Iraq with new aircraft and tactical systems.
The step aims to modernize the country’s aging military fleet and transition to a long-term bilateral defense relationship.
The US State Department said in a statement that the proposed sale aims to strengthen both the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by enhancing the security of an important strategic partner.
The Iraqi government has requested to buy Bell 412EPX helicopters, Bell 407M helicopters, and other related military equipment, according to the statement.
The proposed sale will improve Iraq’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its rotary wing transport, reconnaissance, and air-to-surface targeting capabilities, according to the statement.
The Iraqi Ministry of Defense announced last October that it received US Bell 505 helicopters as part of a deal in which 15 aircraft arrived in two separate shipments.
In August 2024, Iraq’s Army Aviation Command received the first shipment of Bell 505 helicopters that will be used in training missions.
The new helicopters will prepare qualified pilots who can defend Iraq’s airspace from any attack, as well as drastically and visibly improve the training system using modern aircraft.
According to ambitious, cutting-edge plans in this field, these helicopters are expected to train pilots and improve the capabilities of Iraq’s Army Aviation.
