In a recent briefing, Lanza said some of the equipment sent to Iraq
could include additional M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks as well as Bradley
infantry fighting vehicles. The Iraq Army, which has already ordered 140
Abrams, has been trained to operate both combat platforms at the Besmayah
Training Area.
"All the combat systems are being executed through Foreign Military
Sales [program]," U.S. Brig. Gen. Gustave Perna, the military logistics
director in Iraq, said. "So the equipment that we're leaving behind right
now is excessed to the United States government as determined to process and
help enable the Iraqi security forces conduct logistics within their
formations."
Officials said Iraq was slated to receive 8,500 Humvee combat vehicles
left behind by the U.S. military. They said more than 6,000 of the vehicles
have already been delivered to the Iraq Army and security forces.
The U.S. military has also offered the Iraqis reconnaissance and
intelligence systems. Officials said such deliveries would be offered as
part of a cooperation agreement between Baghdad and Washington in wake of
the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq by 2012.
Officials said the biggest decision by Iraq was the procurement of the
U.S.-origin F-16 multi-role fighters. They said the 18 F-16 Block 52+
aircraft requested by Baghdad would form a major element in cooperation
between Iraq and the United States after 2012.
"Those are decisions on foreign military sales that the leadership of
Iraq will have to decide in terms of what is in their best interests in the
country," Lanza said. "Additionally, they will also have to decide what kind
of agreements they're going to make for security post-December, 2011."
The Iraq Air Force, with 104 aircraft, has ordered the Russian-origin
Mi-17 utility helicopter. At the same time, the Iraq Navy has acquired
Italian-origin patrol ships.
"But our disposition and transfer of property will not meet every single
capability and desire of the Iraqi security forces," Lanza said. "But it
will help them build capability and capacity until our mission ends in
December of 2011."
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