Iraq To Get 36 AT-6 Light Attack Planes, 20 T-6B Trainers

Iraq To Get 36 AT-6 Light Attack Planes, 20 T-6B Trainers

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - December 13, 2008: On the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq of 36 AT-6B Texan II Aircraft as well as associated support.

The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $520 million.

The AT-6 is fully equipped with six weapons / stores locations and can be armed with a variety of weapons including guided missiles, laser / GPS-guided bombs and 2.75in rocket pods

The Government of Iraq has requested a possible sale of 36 AT-6B Texan II Aircraft, 6 spare PT-6 engines, 10 spare ALE-47 Counter-Measure Dispensing Systems and/or 10 spare AAR-60 Missile Launch Detection Systems, global positioning systems with CMA-4124, spare and repair parts, maintenance, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, tanker support, ferry services, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $520 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country.

The proposed sale of these aircraft, equipment, and support will enhance the ability of the Iraqi forces to sustain themselves in their efforts to bring stability to Iraq and to prevent overflow of unrest into neighboring countries.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors are:

-- Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, Wichita, Kansas

-- Pratt & Whitney Corporation, Quebec, Canada and Bridgeport, West Virginia

-- Martin Baker in Middlesex, United Kingdom

-- Hartzel Propeller, Piqua, Ohio -- Canadian Marconi, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

-- L-3 Vertex, Madison, Mississippi

There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

The proposed sale will involve multiple trips to Iraq involving many U.S. government and contractor representatives over a period of 15 years for program management, program and technical reviews, training, maintenance support, and site surveys.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

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