Breaking news
US approves $1bn FMS from Iraq for pilot training services.
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World Defense & Security News - Iraq
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US approves $1bn FMS from Iraq for pilot training services
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The United States State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Iraq for pilot and maintenance training, contractor logistical support (CLS) for trainer aircraft, and base support for an estimated cost of $1.06 billion, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said on April 12, 2017.
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 An Iraqi pilot instructor student taxis his T-6 Texan out to the runway at Combat Operating Base Speicher, Tikrit, Iraq (Credit: USAF/Senior Airman David Salanitri) |
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The Government of Iraq has requested a possible sale of pilot training; maintenance training; and contractor logistical services support for C-172, C-208, and T-6 aircraft for up to five years to include contractor aircraft modification; repair and spare parts; publications; aircraft ferry; and miscellaneous parts, along with training base operation support, base life support, security, construction, and other related elements of program support. The estimated total program value is $1.06 billion. The principal contractor is the US-based company Spartan College, the DSCA said.
Iraq currently owns 12 C-172, five C-208, and 15 T-6 training aircraft. The training pipeline will allow the Iraqi Air Force to tailor pilot training for several U.S.-origin operational aircraft. The C-172s and T-6s are Iraq’s training platforms for their mobility and fighter attack fleets. The C-208s are Iraq’s platform of choice for training its Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) pilots. The proposed sale of training and support services will improve the Iraq’s ability to train its pilots and maintenance technicians. By training its own pilots and maintenance technicians in-country, Iraq will decrease its overseas training requirements, significantly reduce its training costs, and will enhance its ability to take over the sustainment of its aircraft. Iraq will have no difficulty absorbing this support. |
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