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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Iraq adds new Russia-origin helicopters to fleet

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi military was preparing to accept delivery of combat helicopters for counter-insurgency missions.

Officials said the Iraq Air Force was expecting the arrival of 14 Mi-17 helicopters from the United States in a $189 million deal. The deal, signed in December 2007, called for the delivery of the first two Russian-origin helicopters in February 2009.

Iraq has submitted more than $1.5 billion in orders for weapons and platforms from the United States. More than half of the orders were being processed or delivered under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program.

The air force has 35 helicopters in its fleet. Officials said 14 Mi-17s would arrive in 2008.

Also In This Edition

In 2009, the air force was expected to begin receiving Mi-17s modified for counter-insurgency missions. In all 22 such helicopters have been purchased.

The air force has been operating an Mi-17 helicopter squadron, dubbed the 4th Squadron. But the helicopters lack weapons and night-vision systems, which make operations extremely limited.

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