⚡️🇺🇸🇮🇶 — The US approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Iraq for Bell 412EPX and Bell 407M helicopters alongside associated equipment at an estimated total cost of $800 million. The requested procurement package comprises Bell 412EPX helicopters, Bell 407M helicopters, GAU-19 three-barrel machine gun launchers, M260 2.75-inch 7-tube rockets, L-3 Wescam MX-15HDI Electro-Optical/Infrared sensors, AN/AAR-60 Block 2 Missile Launch Detection Systems, very high frequency radios, spare parts, peculiar ground support equipment, technical publications and data, pilot and maintenance personnel training, and US Government alongside contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services — US Department of State Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.
➡️ The Department of State assessed this proposed sale "will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner." Official notifications indicated the transaction "will improve Iraq’s capability to meet current and future threats" by upgrading its rotary wing transport, reconnaissance, and air-to-surface targeting capabilities, with Bell-Textron located in Fort Worth, Texas operating as the principal contractor.
