Pentagon reveals US permits possible supply of aviation assistance to Iraq
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin. Photo: PMO
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The US Department of Defense announced on Monday that the United States authorized the potential delivery of aviation assistance to Iraq.
A deal worth $140 million would include maintenance and training for Iraq’s C-172 and AC/RC-208 aircraft, according to a statement issued by the US Department of Defense and cited by Reuters.
As the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, met at the Defense Department, this news was released.
Al-Sudani’s meeting with Austin took place a few hours after two separate meetings he held with the US President, Joe Biden, and the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.
The statement explained that the deal will strengthen the security of a key ally and support US foreign policy and national security, adding that the main contractor will be Northrop Grumman.
US sources revealed that Baghdad has been searching for additional counter-drone technology, Al-Arabiya News reported.
Important negotiations on the future of US forces in Iraq are taking place between Washington and Baghdad at the same time as Al-Sudani’s first visit to the US. But promoting more US economic involvement in Iraq is the main goal of his visit.