رد: العراق يدخل مدافع امريكية للخدمة في الجيش العراقي
In addition to Iraq negotiating to purchase brand new F-16 Block 52s, the Defense Minister is in the US to finalize a deal where “the US Army is giving the Iraqi Army equipment worth 1 Billion, the DM [Defense Minister] said that this equipment will make a big difference, and that from the way he said it, it sounds like heavy equipment. The US will pick up most of the money needed and the Iraqi defense department will pay (140 million) to refurbish the equipment.” He also mentioned an air defense brigade to be formed by 2012 [NFI].
Prior to this interview, there had been reports of M109A5 Self-Propelled 155mm Howitzers, M113 FOV [Family of Vehicles], and M198 Towed 155mm Howitzers to be delivered to Iraq during 2011-2013.
In response to a request for information, Lieutenant Colonel Martin Downie, US Army, Public Affairs Chief, US Forces-Iraq (J9) stated:
"Through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process for Excess Defense Articles (EDA) the GoI is getting numerous pieces of equipment to help modernize the Iraqi Army. This equipment includes: M113s, M198s, M109A5s, and M88A1s. I've seen nothing on SAMs."
In a follow up, LTC Downie amplified [boldface added]:
“The GoI paid $143M as part of their cost share for the refurbishment for the equipment. The total value of everything is $900M+. This is what they are getting:
Major items:
1026 - M113s Family of Vehicles
120 - M198 towed howitzers
21 - M88A1 armored recovery vehicles
Additional items:
Equipment for a strategic bridge company
60 - M1070s heavy equipment transporters
24 - M109A5 self propelled howitzers
30 - Fuel tankers
This cost share includes refurbishment of these vehicles, basic issue items, ammo, spares, field support reps to assist with maintenance, and training in varying degrees based on the type of equipment.”
ان تدفع 140 مليون دولار فقط مقابل هكذا صفقة فأقل مايقال لمن في وزارة الدفاع العراقية .. نرفع لكم القبعة
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