US to provide Iraq with $800 million in military equipment, including helicopters

The United States has approved the sale of nearly $800 million in military equipment to Iraq, including Bell 412EPX and Bell 407M helicopters and related equipment, the US State Department said.

This information was reported by the Turkish news agency Anadolu in a report.

The report said that the proposed package includes helicopters, GAU-19 three-barrel machine guns, rocket systems, electro-optical/infrared sensors, missile detection systems, radios, spare parts, and ground support equipment.

The agreement will also include training for pilots and maintenance personnel, and engineering, technical, and logistical support through the US government and contractors.

The US State Department said on Monday (August 31) that the agreement is important to the foreign policy and national security interests of the United States. It will further strengthen the security capabilities of Iraq, a strategic partner.

The department also said that if implemented, the agreement would increase Iraq's ability to confront current and future threats, particularly by improving the ability to transport troops and equipment, conduct surveillance, and strike air-to-ground targets using helicopters.