US Arms sales to Iraq

[Terry]

Lockheed gets Iraq C-130J aircraft add-on deal Thu Apr 30, 2009 5:39pm EDT


WASHINGTON, April 30 (Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force is adding up to $292.8 million to a Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) contract for four workhorse C-130J military transport aircraft destined for Iraq, the Defense Department said on Thursday.
In July 2008, the Pentagon notified Congress of a proposed sale to Iraq of up to six C-130J aircraft and associated equipment and services.
The total value of that plan, if all options were exercised, could be as high as $1.5 billion, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said at the time. The four- engine aircraft are to be used to ferry troops, as well as for humanitarian operations, the Pentagon said.
On Wednesday, the Pentagon said Textron Inc (TXT.N) had received a $60.3 million U.S. Army contract to supply 24 Bell Armed 407 helicopters to Iraq, with an option for 26 more.
Since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, the U.S. Congress has been notified of potential arms sales to Iraq totaling nearly $9 billion, including the M1A1 tank by General Dynamics Corp (GD.N), light armored vehicles from various contractors and armed reconnaissance helicopters from either Boeing Co (BA.N) or Textron Inc (TXT.N). (Reporting by Jim Wolf; Editing by Andre Grenon)