By John Lee.
Defense News reports that a proposed $4.8-billion deal to sell the latest Apache AH-64E helicopters to Iraq may have fallen through.
According to the report, the US government made Baghdad a formal offer for the 24 helicopters, along with spare parts and a comprehensive training program, but the Iraqis have not yet accepted it and did not ask for an extension of the offer, which is said to have expired in August.
The potential contract included radars, night vision equipment, 480 Hellfire missiles, electronic jamming equipment, 30mm automatic chain guns and assorted ammunition. "Including the spare and repair parts, support equipment, and more than 200 contractors to provide personnel training, it would have been a major win for Apache maker Boeing and its subcontractors", said the report.
Over the summer, Moscow shipped Mi-35 helicopter gunships and at least five Su-25 fighter planes to Baghdad.
(Source: Defense News)
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