WASHINGTON – The US State Department has cleared the sale of M1A1 Abrams tank ammunition to Iraq, according to an announcement by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
If approved by Congress, the deal will be worth $600 million and includes US government and contractor technical and logistics support. DSCA said in the notice, posted Monday, it would inform Congress of the deal that day.
The prime contractor will be General Dynamics-Ordnance Tactical Systems in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The government of Iraq has requested a possible sale of 10,000 M831 120mm high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) munitions, 10,000 M865 120mm kinetic energy warheads, 10,000 M865 120mm KEW-A1, and 16,000 M830 120mm HEAT-MP-T tank ammunition.
"The proposed sale of the ammunition and support will advance Iraq's efforts to develop an integrated ground defense capability to support a strong national defense," the DSCA notice states. "This will enable the Iraqi Government to sustain its efforts to establish and maintain stability.
On July 29, DSCA announced a deal for contractor logistics support for Bell 407, OH-58 and Huey II aircraft in support of the Iraq Aviation Command. Bell Helicopter Textron of Fort Worth, Texas, was the contractor in the deal, potentially worth $500 million.
Iraq also made a $700 million deal with the US for 5,000 AGM-114K/N/R Hellfire missiles and related equipment, which augments its existing arsenal of Hellfires. Lockheed Martin was the contractor.
