"The proposed sale and upgrade will allow Iraq to operate and exercise a
more lethal and survivable M1A1M tank for the protection of critical
infrastructure," the agency said on July 31. "Iraq will have no difficulty
absorbing these tanks into its armed forces."
This would mark the introduction of a U.S.-origin MBT in Iraq's
military. In 2005, the United States approved the delivery of 77
Russian-origin T-72 MBTs from Hungarian Army surplus to Baghdad.
Under the latest Iraqi request, the United States would upgrade the
1980s-era Abrams to M1A1M configuration, which was not specified. Other
elements of the proposed sale included eight M88A2 tank recovery vehicles,
64 M1151A1B1 armored High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles, 92 M1152
shelter carriers, 12 M577A2 command post carriers and 16 M548A1 tracked
logistics vehicles.
Iraq would also receive eight M113A2 armored ambulances, 420 AN/VRC-92
vehicular receiver transmitters, 35 M1070 heavy equipment transporter truck
tractors, 40 M978A2 heavy expanded mobility tactical truck tankers, 36
M985A2 HEMTT cargo trucks, four M984A2 HEMTT wrecker trucks and 140 M1085A1
5-ton cargo trucks. Baghdad has also sought a range of tactical transport
vehicles, motorcycles, sedans and engines.
The prime contractor in the proposed sale was identified as General
Dynamics Land Systems Division. Honeywell International and General Motors
Allison Transmission Division were also cited as contractors.
"Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of
approximately eight U.S. government and 35 contractor representatives to
Iraq for up to four years," DSCA said. "There will be no adverse impact on
U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale."
