Baghdad: The US State Department announced on Tuesday its approval of an $800 million deal to sell helicopters and military equipment to Iraq. In a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the department said, “The State Department has issued a decision approving a potential foreign military sale to the Government of Iraq for the purchase of Bell 412EPX and Bell 407M helicopters and related equipment. The total cost of the deal is estimated at approximately $800 million.”

According to Iraqi News Agency, the Iraqi government has requested the purchase of Bell 412EPX helicopters; Bell 407M helicopters; GAU-19 triple-barreled machine gun mounts; M260 2.75-inch rockets with seven launch pods; L-3 Wescam MX-15HDI electro-optical/infrared sensor; AN/AAR-60 Block 2 missile launch detection systems; VHF radios; spare parts; special ground support equipment; technical publications and data; and training on the new equipment.

The deal includes pilot and maintenance personnel training; engineering, technical, and logistical support services provided by the U.S. government and its contractors; and other related logistical and program support items.

The transaction will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to enhance the security of a strategic partner, and the proposed sale will improve Iraq’s ability to confront current and future threats by enhancing its capabilities in helicopter transport, reconnaissance, and targeting of air and ground targets.