US moves forward with sale of Apache attack helicopters to Iraq
Obama administration seeks to bolster military capacity of Iraqi government in its campaign against al-Qaeda linked militants
The Obama administration notified Congress on Monday of plans to sell 24 Apache attack helicopters to Iraq, part of an effort to bolster the military campaign against al-Qaeda-linked militants, after addressing lawmakers’ concerns that had held up the sale for months.
The Defence Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) said on its website it had informed Congress of the possible sale of the Boeing-built helicopters to the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who is in a stand-off with Islamist militants in the western province of Anbar two years after the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
The administration also notified Congress of plans to lease Iraq up to six Apaches, which a US defence official said would be used for training purposes until the purchased Apaches were delivered. The cost of the purchased Apaches, and the equipment and support that accompanies them, is worth about US$4.8 billion, the DSCA said.
On Sunday, Iraqi forces intensified air strikes and artillery fire on the city of Falluja. The conflict in Anbar has focused Washington’s attention on Iraq as fears grow about spillover from the war in neighbouring Syria.
The Obama administration is also seeking to expedite delivery of fighter jets, missiles, surveillance drones and other weaponry to Iraq.
But the Apache sale was held up for months by concerns from lawmakers about how the helicopters would be used.
