Iraq requests massive equipment FMS

The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential $295.6 million foreign military sale to Iraq for equipment for two Peshmerga infantry brigades and two support artillery battalions, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on 19 April.

These artillery battalions and infantry brigades will operate under the Kurdistan Regional Governments Ministry of Peshmerga, and the equipment requested will fully outfit them.

Requested equipment includes 4,400 M16A4 rifles, 46 M2 .50 calibre machine guns, 186 M240B machine guns, 36 M1151 HMMWVs and 77 M1151 up-armoured HMMWVs.

Tactical quiet generator sets, body armour, helmets, tripods, cleaning kits, magazines, mounts, mortar systems, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive detection and protective equipment have also been requested, along with dismounted and mounted radio systems, compasses, binoculars, and medical equipment.

Support vehicles include mine resistant ambush protected vehicles, cargo and transportation equipment, including light tactical vehicles, medium tactical vehicles, water trucks, fuel trucks, and ambulances, 36 refurbished M119A2 105mm howitzers, spare parts and training.

If it goes ahead, the prime contractors for the sale will include AM General, Oshkosh Defense, Navistar Defense, Harris Radio, and Colt Corporation.