A U.S. Marine Corps M1A1 Abrams tank from 1st Tank Battalion, Twenty-Nine Palms, California, sits entrenched in a defensive position during Clear, Hold, Build Exercise (CHBX) 3, one of several pre-deployment training exercises during Enhanced Mojave Viper held on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twenty-Nine Palms, California, on Sept. 1, 2010. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlando Perez/Released)
By Richard Abott |
10 years ago |
10/30/2014

The State Department has approved a possible $600 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Iraq for M1A1 Abrams tank ammunition and associated equipment, parts, and logistical support.

General Dynamics [GD] would be the primary contractor.

Abrams M1A1 Photo: General Dynamics
Abrams M1A1
Photo: General Dynamics

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on Oct. 20.

Iraq requested 10,000 M831 120mm high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) munitions, 10,000 M865 120mm Kinetic Energy Warheads (KEW), 10,000 M865 120 mm KEW-A1, and 16,000 120mm HEAT-MP-T tank ammunition. This also includes U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services.

The potential sale will help Iraq’s efforts to develop an integrated ground defense capability and improve the security of a strategic partner of the United States, DSCA said in a statement.

Implementation of the proposed sale will not require U.S. government and contractor representatives to be assigned to Iraq.