Lockheed Martin has been given a green light to sell the Iraqi Air Force (IAF) $800 million worth of sustainment support and spare parts for its fleet of C-130E and C-130J transport aircraft.
The foreign military sales approval was made by the US State Department and announced on 26 November by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). The sale is not yet final, but could include sustainment and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support worth up to $800 million.
DSCA pointed out that fulfilling the potential contract will not require posting additional US government or contractor personnel to Iraq, where a coalition effort to destroy Islamic State militants is ongoing. Flightglobal's 2014 World Air Forces directory says the IAF operates three C-130E and six C-130J aircraft.
The IAF’s “limited maintenance capability necessitates the need for continued contractor logistics support”, DSCA says. “The continued support will assist the IAF in continuing to use the aircraft to provide humanitarian relief operations in various locations.”
Iraq requested a sustainment package that would extend the life of its C-130s for five years beyond 2015, according to DSCA. The deal will include operational, intermediate, and depot level maintenance, spare and repair parts, support equipment, repair and return, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment and US government and contractor logistics support services.
“This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner,” DSCA says. “This proposed sale directly supports the Government of Iraq and serves the interests of the people of Iraq and the United States.”
Source: FlightGlobal.com
