Posted on 09/24/2010 5:02:42 AM PDT by DJ Elliott
WASHINGTON, September 15, 2010 -- The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress on September 14, of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq for the refurbishment of 440 M113A2 Armored Personnel Carriers as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $131 million. The Government of Iraq has requested a possible sale for the refurbishment of 440 M113A2 Armored Personnel Carriers, being offered as Excess Defense Articles, including installation of 440 M2 .50 Cal Machine Guns, 607 AN/VRC-90E Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radios Systems, M259 Smoke Grenade Launchers, and Combat Vehicle Crewmember Helmets. Also included are tools and test equipment, site survey, construction, spare and repairs parts, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics personnel services, and other related logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $131 million.
(Excerpt) Read more at dsca.osd.mil ...
440? About a Division sized transportation capability?
Yup.
It looks like they are organizing in the US Army modular HBCT structure but:
- using M113s in the M2/Bradley IFV role.
- using BTR4s/BMP1s in the M3/Bradley CFV role.
Which means this is the M2 IFV component for 7 HBCTs.
IA already has 283 M113s. 4 HBCTs worth of IFV role.
Also has over 400 BMP1s.
The ordered M1A1s started arriving in August and the BTR4s start ariving next month...
Rearming for Iran? Syria? Smack down in the desert II? 1980’s repeat? I’m surprised they’re wanting M113’s instead of BMP’s since they’re buying BTR’s too...
Odd force mix.
They are arming up with what they can afford.
To keep Iran out.
If you look at what they have and where they are deployed heaviest, they are worried about Iran and Syria.
They are buying what they can get as fast as they can get it. The IA has no intention of becoming a Persian proxy...
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