US State Department releases update about security cooperation with Iraq 32108153

Defence & Security News - United States
 
US State Department releases update about security cooperation with Iraq
The US State Department has released an update on the level of security cooperation with Iraq, revealing that the Baghdad government has bought almost $19 billion worth of military equipment from the US through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program since 2005.
     
     

Iraqi FMS purchases include 3,300 Hellfire missiles; 31,000 2.75-inch rockets; over 30,000 120mm tank rounds;146 M1A1 Main Battle Tanks; 36 F-16 fighter aircraft; 24 IA407 helicopters; and 9 C-130 cargo aircraft among other equipment, at a cost of over $18.6 billion.

A further $1.6 billion of grants and loans for military infrastructure has been approved by Congress since 2012 as part of the the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program. Originally intended to build up Iraq’s long-term sustainment and logistics capabilities, and for Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) professionalisation and other essential training, it has been reallocated to to urgent counterterrorism requirements, including critical resupply of Hellfire missiles, 2.75-inch rockets, tank ammunition, small arms/ammo, and individual soldier items. FMF has been used to purchase body armour and transport as well.

As well as 300 MRAPS, the US has donated Armoured Tactical Vehicles, Howitzers, OH-58 helicopters and soft-skinned High-Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs), 1,200 military transportation vehicles, approximately 20,000 small arms and heavy weapons; 2,000 additional AT-4s; Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) equipment, including 200 additional APOBS, 20 Mine Clearing Line Charges (MICLIC), as well as 29 Iraqi Light Armoured Vehicles (ILAVs).

With approval from Baghdad, the US has flown over 100 mission to the Kurdistan Region to deliver more than 8 million pounds of ammunition and equipment, including small arms, machine guns, mortars, radios, and vehicles donated from more than a dozen countries to the Peshmerga.

In 2015 the Iraq Train and Equip Funding (ITEF) program has approved $1.6 billion to provide military assistance to forces throughout Iraq, including tribal allies and the Peshmerga.