PAYMENTS FOR F-16s MADE BY IRAQ

[Russell M]

Bloomberg reports that Iraq has made its first payment on a $3 billion program to buy 18 Lockheed Martin (LMT) F-16 fighter jets.

Pentagon spokesman George Little commented: “A long-term strategic relationship with Iraq is important. We seek to find ways to enable the Iraqis to provide for their own security and to add to greater stability in the region.”

He told reporters that the base value of Iraq’s jet order is about $3 billion, but that with all options for equipment and services the total value of the agreement may reach $4.2 billion.

“These aircraft are going to help provide air sovereignty for Iraq and to protect its territory,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said, according to Reuters.

“They also, as a significant military sale between us, are a symbol of the commitment that we’ve made to the Iraqi government to have a long-term strategic partnership between the United States and Iraq”

The program, outlined in a September 2010 Defense Department notice to Congress, includes 18 F-16 Block 52 variant jets. Iraq’s air force was largely destroyed in the wars in 1991 and 2003 and during the years between when the U.S. enforced a no-fly zone.

“The first batch will arrive in the country and fit into place in early 2014,” Iraqi Staff Lieutenant General Anwar Ahmed said in an interview with Bloomberg News.

‘We expect foreign military sales, including items such as F-16 aircraft, to serve as a cornerstone of our future cooperation,” Little said.

Major General Russ Handy, the senior U.S. Air Force officer in Iraq, said on Sept. 14 that Iraq ultimately may buy a total of 36 F-16s.

(Sources: Bloomberg, Reuters)

I believe this is a very significant sign of an impending release of Ch7. IMO, this is great news!

[Saved]

Great post Russell

Thanks for posting

[trooper]

Iraq makes First Payment in $3bn F-16 Deal

Posted on 28 September 2011. Tags: F-16, Lockheed Martin

Iraq makes First Payment in $3bn F-16 Deal

Bloomberg reports that Iraq has made its first payment on a $3 billion program to buy 18 Lockheed Martin (LMT) F-16 fighter jets.

Pentagon spokesman George Little commented: “A long-term strategic relationship with Iraq is important. We seek to find ways to enable the Iraqis to provide for their own security and to add to greater stability in the region.”

He told reporters that the base value of Iraq’s jet order is about $3 billion, but that with all options for equipment and services the total value of the agreement may reach $4.2 billion.

“These aircraft are going to help provide air sovereignty for Iraq and to protect its territory,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said, according to Reuters.

“They also, as a significant military sale between us, are a symbol of the commitment that we’ve made to the Iraqi government to have a long-term strategic partnership between the United States and Iraq”

The program, outlined in a September 2010 Defense Department notice to Congress, includes 18 F-16 Block 52 variant jets. Iraq’s air force was largely destroyed in the wars in 1991 and 2003 and during the years between when the U.S. enforced a no-fly zone.

“The first batch will arrive in the country and fit into place in early 2014,” Iraqi Staff Lieutenant General Anwar Ahmed said in an interview with Bloomberg News.

‘We expect foreign military sales, including items such as F-16 aircraft, to serve as a cornerstone of our future cooperation,” Little said.

Major General Russ Handy, the senior U.S. Air Force officer in Iraq, said on Sept. 14 that Iraq ultimately may buy a total of 36 F-16s.

(Sources: Bloomberg, Reuters)

http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/2011/09/28/iraq-makes-first-payment-in-3bn-f-16-deal/

[dhardage]

Iraq makes First Payment in $3bn F-16 Deal

Posted on 28 September 2011. Tags: F-16, Lockheed Martin

Iraq makes First Payment in $3bn F-16 Deal

Bloomberg reports that Iraq has made its first payment on a $3 billion program to buy 18 Lockheed Martin (LMT) F-16 fighter jets.

Pentagon spokesman George Little commented: “A long-term strategic relationship with Iraq is important. We seek to find ways to enable the Iraqis to provide for their own security and to add to greater stability in the region.”

He told reporters that the base value of Iraq’s jet order is about $3 billion, but that with all options for equipment and services the total value of the agreement may reach $4.2 billion.

“These aircraft are going to help provide air sovereignty for Iraq and to protect its territory,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said, according to Reuters.

“They also, as a significant military sale between us, are a symbol of the commitment that we’ve made to the Iraqi government to have a long-term strategic partnership between the United States and Iraq”

The program, outlined in a September 2010 Defense Department notice to Congress, includes 18 F-16 Block 52 variant jets. Iraq’s air force was largely destroyed in the wars in 1991 and 2003 and during the years between when the U.S. enforced a no-fly zone.

“The first batch will arrive in the country and fit into place in early 2014,” Iraqi Staff Lieutenant General Anwar Ahmed said in an interview with Bloomberg News.

‘We expect foreign military sales, including items such as F-16 aircraft, to serve as a cornerstone of our future cooperation,” Little said.

Major General Russ Handy, the senior U.S. Air Force officer in Iraq, said on Sept. 14 that Iraq ultimately may buy a total of 36 F-16s.

(Sources: Bloomberg, Reuters)

http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/2011/09/28/iraq-makes-first-payment-in-3bn-f-16-deal/

Still can't fly em though, right?

[tamiflyer]

Still can't fly em though, right?

They might be able to after all. All we are waiting on, IMMHO, is the immunity for our soldiers that will remain for trainning in Iraq. See this link in 2005 about an Iraqi pilot flying their president. GLTY and all. Go RV.

http://nyjtimes.com/cover/02-21-05/IraqiPilotsFlyPMForFirstC-130Mission.htm

[HopefulTxn]

Still can't fly em though, right?

Wouldn't see why they could't. Right now their Air Force is very small and operating with propeller driven planes.

One thing to note, is that Reuters does state that those Cessna's are armed with hellfire missiles.Link

[dhardage]

Wouldn't see why they could't. Right now their Air Force is very small and operating with propeller driven planes.

One thing to note, is that Reuters does state that those Cessna's are armed with hellfire missiles.Link

grrrrrrrrrr my memory sux, sorry. But i remember reading something about them not being able to use them until they were completely out of Chapter 7?

[jeepguy]

i read this and i now wonder ---- since they have started buying the military stuff,, this one being the big one,,, seems too me they are getting the ability too protect them selves,,, and that would help u.n. in deciding too lift chapter 7 ,,,in my own world { looks down at floor see a microphone..... kicks the crap out of it ,,,, FEILDGOAL ----- hahahha hope bond lady has another one } ---- r veeeee this thing

[ftruck7]

Has anyone ever seen an Iraqi soldier shoot a machine gun?

Oh you want me to fly and shoot at the same time?

CLASSIC

[iceburgpens]

They better buy an aircraft carrier to carry that many Dinars just to pay for it !!

[Redfish]

Wouldn't see why they could't. Right now their Air Force is very small and operating with propeller driven planes.

One thing to note, is that Reuters does state that those Cessna's are armed with hellfire missiles.Link

It states they take delivery in 2014, won't be flying them till then.

[HopefulTxn]

It states they take delivery in 2014, won't be flying them till then.

I have also read that they could be there as early as next fall. Link That delivery time does not seem to be based on any Chapter 7 issues, but rather production time.

I am also curious what the status of the 19 MIGS that were supposed to be restored and sent back from Serbia to Iraq that were reported on two years ago. If that project is still on-going, could they possibly get those jets back before they get the F-16's they just agreed to purchase.