Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States has approved additional military sales to Iraq despite devastating failures by the Iraqi military this summer which resulted in the surrender to Islamic State of Iraq and Levant of U.S. origin military platforms.

The State Department has endorsed two Iraqi military requests from the United States as it struggles to recover territory lost to ISIL. Officials said the requests, which amount to nearly $700 million, would include air weapons as well as spare parts for artillery and trucks.

[Related: ISIL hit U.S. F-15 with anti-aircaft batteries captured from Iraq, Sept. 12, 2014]

“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.

[Related: Tanks, copters and cash: Bank robberies in Mosul make ISIL ‘wealthiest terrorist franchise ever’, June 24, 2014]

One Iraqi request called for $600 million worth of spare parts for the M1A1 main battle tanks, M-198 towed artillery and a range of wheeled vehicles. DSCA said it notified Congress of the proposed sale, which designated General Dynamics Land Systems as the prime contractor.

“Iraq requires continuing procurement and repair of spare parts through the U.S. government’s FMSO II program in order to maintain its military fleets of tanks, vehicles, and other associated equipment,” DSCA said on Nov. 12. “The spare parts and repair sets to be procured under this proposed sale are critical for maintaining these ground transportation vehicles in operational condition.”

The second request called for Iraq to procure the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System for its air combat fleet. Under the proposed deal, Baghdad would order up to 2,000 rockets, manufactured by BAE Systems, in a sale estimated at $97 million. The rockets were expected to be installed on the military’s fleet of Bell 407 armed helicopters.

“The proposed sale will improve Iraq’s capacity to sustain security operations and strengthen its internal and external defense capabilities,” DSCA said. “The sale of APKWS will increase the Iraqi Army Aviation Command’s ability to carry out operations against terrorist forces while significantly reducing risk to civilians.”

  U.S. approves $700 million in military sales to Iraq following catastrophic reverses, WorldTribune.com