US Approves $181m Aircraft Maintenance Deal

By John Lee.

The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Iraq for AC-208 sustainment, logistics, and spares support.

The estimated cost is $181 million.

The Government of Iraq has requested a possible sale of a five-year sustainment package for its AC/RC-208 fleet that includes: operational, intermediate, and depot-level maintenance; spare parts; component repair; publication updates; maintenance training; and logistics. Also included in this sale are Contract Logistics Services (CLS), training services, and Contract Engineering Services.

The purchase of this sustainment package will allow the Iraqi Air Force (IqAF) to continue to operate its fleet of eight C-208 light attack and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft beyond the June 2016 end of its existing CLS contract. Limited IqAF maintenance capability necessitates continued CLS. Ultimately, the goal is for the IqAF to become self-sufficient in the areas of aircraft maintenance and logistics training. Iraq will have no difficulty absorbing this support.

The principal contractors will be Orbital ATK in Falls Church, Virginia, and Flight Safety International in Flushing, New York.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

(Source: US Defense Security Cooperation Agency)