The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of a possible $299 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Iraq of six AN/TPQ-36(V)10 Firefinder Radar Systems, 18 AN/TPQ-48 Light Weight Counter-Mortar Radars and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support.
The prime contractors will be Thales Raytheon Systems, Northrop Grumman [NOC], Smith-Detection Technologies, ITT [ITT] Defense Electronics Services, Raytheon [RTN], L-3 Communications [LLL] and SRCTec Inc.
Beyond the radars, Iraq requested the possible sale of three meteorological measuring sets, 36 export variant Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems, six Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems, and three Position and Azimuth Determining Systems.
Iraq also requested government furnished equipment, common hardware and software, communication support equipment, tools and test equipment, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor engineering, logistics, and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support.
The proposed sale of the Firefinder radars will advance Iraq’s efforts to develop an integrated ground defense capability and to develop a strong and dedicated military force, DSCA told Congress March 30. The Firefinder radars will enable Iraq to assume some of the missions currently accomplished by U.S. and coalition forces and to sustain itself in its efforts to establish stability to Iraq.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require U.S. government or contractor representatives to travel to Iraq for up to three years for equipment de-processing/fielding, system checkout, new equipment training, and logistics support.
Israel Makes First Rocket Intercept Using Iron Dome
Israel yesterday intercepted an enemy rocket headed toward the city of Ashkelon, 10 kilometers from the Gaza Strip, the country’s defense ministry said in a statement.
The intercept marked the first use of Iron Dome, a mobile air defense system developed by indigenous defense firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Iron Dome is designed to intercept very short-range rockets and artillery shells from up to 70 kilometers.
The system was created as a defensive countermeasure to the rocket threat against Israel’s civilian population on its northern and southern border and was declared operational in the first quarter of 2011.
The system was deployed last week and became operational on April 3.
Over the past several years, the United States has provided financial support to Israel for the development of the Iron Dome missile defense system. n