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cyberdude611 -> Iraq wants to buy 36 F-16s and other weapons from USA (9/5/2008 11:01:58 AM)
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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Iraqi government has asked for information about buying 36 F-16 fighter aircraft built by Lockheed Martin Corp, the U.S. Defense Department said on Friday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080905/ts_nm/iraq_fighters_usa_dc
The Iraqis are also interested in 400 armored vehicles, 6 C-130 transport planes, either 24 Textron Bell Armed 407 or 24 Boeing AH-6 helicopters, 565 120mm mortars, 665 81mm mortars, and 200 AGM-114M Hellfire missiles.
The total price could be in the range of several billions of dollars.
The Iraqis claim they need the weapons in order to maintain a powerful military and fill the void that is left when US troops begin to leave. F-16s would allow the Iraqis to conduct bombing raids on insurgent strongholds themselves rather than rely on US forces to do the work. Neighbors and several other countries have already voiced concern including Syria, Iran, and Russia.
Updated F-16s are among the world's most advanced multirole fighters and a powerful symbol of military ties to the United States. Currently 24 nations purchase the planes from the US, all are US allies.
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