- 20 Oct 2008 12:40
#1664948
If there was a ever a more clear sign of Iraq's long term geo-strategic alignment in terms of international relations than this is it.
Iraq is definitely going to be an important US ally for the foreseeable future, regardless of who gets elected President, and regardless of how many troops the US pulls out over the next few years.
With them wanting all these goodies its essentially going to tie their military-industrial complex to the US's military-industrial supply train, especially in terms of logistics.
Spare parts, trained personnel, the works....
With the $80 billion surplus the Iraqi Government is running they'll definitely be able to buy it all too.
Source
Iraq is definitely going to be an important US ally for the foreseeable future, regardless of who gets elected President, and regardless of how many troops the US pulls out over the next few years.
With them wanting all these goodies its essentially going to tie their military-industrial complex to the US's military-industrial supply train, especially in terms of logistics.
Spare parts, trained personnel, the works....
With the $80 billion surplus the Iraqi Government is running they'll definitely be able to buy it all too.
Source
Iraq prefers to pattern its Air Force along American lines, and is consulting with Pentagon experts about establishing a frontline, U.S.-trained force based around F-16 fighters, C-130J transports, armed helicopters and other advanced systems.
At a two-day conference in Crystal City, Va., Iraqi security officials spoke publicly of their preference for frontline U.S. equipment, including the F-16, to defend against internal as well as external threats.
"Our procurement of arms will be done through FMS," the Pentagon-run Foreign Military Sales program, said Gen. Babakir Baderkhan Zibari, Iraqi Armed Forces commander.
Samer Abid Alwahaab, director of public relations at Iraq's Ministry of Defense, underlined the preference.
"As we plan our defensive capabilities for the future, we are very much aware of the need to invest in the most modern, most capable and most reliable systems," Samer said. "This is the reason many prefer to work with our American allies and American companies and benefit from the American experience."
Samer said modern air power capabilities are needed not only by the MoD and the Iraqi Armed Forces, but also by the Interior Ministry.
"Iraq faces multiple challenges: We need to control our open borders and defend against external aggression, while our counterparts must maintain internal security and overall law and order," he said.
Lt. Gen. Anwer Hamed Ahmed, inspector general of the Iraqi Army and head of the assessment department within the Iraqi MoD, said that the nation's biggest focus remains national reconciliation and strengthened internal security. But he also noted that Iraq must be able protect itself against neighboring threats and regional adventurism.
Speaking to government and industry representatives at the New-Fields' Iraq Security and Defense Summit, Ahmed said security challenges include terrorism, corruption, sectarian violence, organized crime and "regional and international interference in Iraqi affairs."
"In order to be able to handle all these challenges, we have to have a strong government and a strong capability of protecting Iraq from its neighbors," Ahmed said. "Our insurance policy vis-Ã -vis Iraqi security is the United States."
U.S. Lt. Col. Almarah Belk, a Pentagon public affairs officer, said the two governments are consulting regularly on ways to stand up Iraq's future air force as well as other military branches. As for specific military procurement plans, Belk said Washington operates a 32-member Security Assistance Office in Iraq and has also created an Iraq FMS task force to expedite Baghdad's equipment needs.
As for the F-16, Belk said the Pentagon received in late August an Iraqi government request for price and availability data on a potential 36-aircraft F-16 force. The so-called P&A request is being reviewed as part of the normal FMS process, and the two countries have not yet reached a point where Baghdad is ready to issue a formal letter of request for the aircraft.
"We look forward to continuing to work with Iraq as a long-term partner as it continues to modernize its forces using its own national funds," Belk said.
In addition to the prospective F-16 order, the Pentagon informed Congress in midsummer of several potential deals to enhance Iraqi airpower capabilities. They include a possible $2.4 billion sale of up to 24 Bell Armed 407 helicopters or 24 Boeing AH-6 helicopters, 120mm mortars, AGM-114M Hellfire missiles, 2.75-inch rockets and machine guns.
Yet another potential air power enhancement includes a potential $1.5 billion sale of six C-130J airlifters, missile warning systems, countermeasures, related training, maintenance and support systems.
"For you, the day when I destroyed your village, killed your family and forced you into exile was the defining moment of your life, but for me...it was Tuesday."
. Both conventional and unconventional.
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