US plans $2.3bn arms sale to Iraq

Pentagon says the sale will help the
Iraqi army to take over operations
currently run by US [EPA]
The US is ready to sell Iraq up to
$2.3bn of weapons to help the Iraqi
army grow and take over operations
currently run by US and allied forces,
the Pentagon has said. The US defence department informed
congress on Wednesday of the plan
to sell various vehicles, small arms
ammunition, explosives and
communications equipment to Iraq.
The Defence Security Co-operation
Agency (DSCA), which oversees
foreign military sales, said the deal
would allow the Iraqi Army to expand
its force structure by 25 battalions and
a brigade headquarters. "This expansion will enable Iraq to
equip new forces to assume the
missions currently accomplished by
US and coalition forces and to sustain
themselves in their efforts to bring
stability to the country," the DSCA
said in a statement. The agency did not list any
contractors alongside the sale. It said the Iraqi government had
requested Humvees and rifles, as well
as a wide array of trucks and other
vehicles, small arms, munitions,
explosives and communications
equipment. Once the US congress is notified of a
weapons sale, lawmakers have 30
days to block the deal, although such
action is rare.