BEIRUT — The US State department has approved a potential foreign military sale (FMS) of Bell 412EPX and 407M helicopters to Iraq in a deal worth $800 million.
The proposed sale of an unspecified number of military helicopters “will improve Iraq’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its rotary wing transport, reconnaissance, and air-to-surface targeting capabilities,” the department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs said yesterday in a congressional notification announcing the potential deal.
The sale’s details are not set in stone. Units and prices can change as negotiations continue. US lawmakers could also stymie such FMS agreements.
Other than the helicopters, the package includes: GAU-19 three-barrel machine guns, M260 2.75-inch 7-tube rockets, Wescam MX-15HDI electro-optical/ infrared sensors, missile launch detection systems, radios, spare parts and ground-based equipment.
Bell Textron, based in Texas, would be the primary contractor of the potential deal.
The announcement comes two months after Iraq announced its intention to disarm Iran-affiliated militias in the country, giving the groups until Sept. 30 to disarm, and one month after Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited Washington to secure major economic partnerships and discuss regional security concerns.
The Bell 412EPX helicopters are twin-engine aircraft that can conduct firefighting, law enforcement and medical operations. Bell 407M helicopters can conduct armed reconnaissance and light attack missions.
Acquisition reform at the speed of war
As part of the DoW’s acquisition transformation, streamlined processes must be extended to all companies in the defense industrial base.
While the Bell 412EPX would be new for Iraqi forces, Bell 407M helicopters would join an existing fleet in the country’s inventory.