Posted on 04/29/2010 6:41:47 AM PDT by DJ Elliott
The Iraqi Government is in talks to buy 24 Hawk trainer jets for up to £1 billion in a deal that would be the country’s first large arms purchase from the UK for more than 20 years.
Military insiders have told The Times that officials from the Iraqi Air Force will be in Britain in May and June to test the Hawk, which is used by the Royal Air Force to train fast-jet pilots.
The BAE Systems Hawk is being considered alongside jets from Korea and Italy as Iraq starts to rebuild an air force that was destroyed by coalition forces during the Gulf War.
The deal could be worth £500 million initially, rising to £1 billion over the life of the aircraft once servicing and maintenance contracts are included.
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The main rivals to Hawk are Korea’s T50, which is a more expensive supersonic aircraft, and Italy’s Maki 346, which is still only a prototype.
(Excerpt) Read more at business.timesonline.co.uk ...
well, i guess if they aren’t going to buy from the country that lead the coalition that freed them from oppression, then buying from the second largest participant is better than nothing. sort, of,, I guess???
The majority of their aviation buys are from the US:
LOA for 24 F-16s.
15 T-6A Texans in delivery.
6 C-130J-30 in production.
24 with option for 26 more armed Bell 407 in delivery.
24 King Air 350 ISR.
24 King Air 350 LTA.
18 with option for 10 more Cessna 172.
8 Cessna C208 LTA.
3 Cessna C208 ISR.
This will be the first aviation buy for UK/IT/KS when it is awarded...
well, i guess if they aren’t going to buy from the country that lead the coalition that freed them from oppression, then buying from the second largest participant is better than nothing. sort, of,, I guess???
Reasons NOT to buy American
good. I’m glad that we are getting some of the business. and i guess its ok too that our allies in this endeavor do too.
PS Despite the UK thinking they are favorite, the recent court issue with Iraqi Airlines has probably killed Hawk as a contender. The possibility of Iraqi funds being seized in the UK is too real.
The Italian trainer is still prototype and not fully tested.
That means the Korean T-50 is the real order. And that is a joint KAI/Lockheed project. Which means the US is probably getting a piece of this sale too...
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