US Approves the Sale of Bell Helicopter Logistics Support Worth $300 Million to Iraq
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) hasreported that the US State Department has decided to approve a possible Foreign Military Sale of Bell Helicopter Contracted Logistics Support (CLS) and related equipment to the Government of Iraq for an estimated $300 million. The necessary certifications, as well as relevant documents announcing this potential sale, were submitted to the US Congress on November 2, 2023, according to the agency.
Iraq’s new request encompasses a variety of services that will be added to a previously implemented case whose value was less than the congressional notification threshold. The original Foreign Military Sales (FMS) dossier was worth $28 million and included Bell Contracted Logistics Support (CLS) and Field Service Representative (FSR) contracts. The most recent approval is for combined CLS and FSR maintenance support for various Bell aircraft, including three 407 variants (206B3, OH-58A/C Kiowa, Huey II) and the 505. This new package also includes technical and logistical support services, as well as studies, surveys, and other logistics-related services.
To carry out this proposed sale, four United States Government or Bell Helicopter representatives would be sent to Iraq and stationed there for a year. These representatives’ primary responsibility will be to provide Contracted Logistics Support (CLS) for Bell 505 aircraft. Furthermore, seven US Government or Bell Helicopter representatives currently in Iraq will have their stay extended for another two years to provide CLS and Field Service Representative (FSR) services for three 407 variants, 206B3, OH-58A/C, and Huey II aircraft.
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), “The proposed sale will improve the Republic of Iraq’s capability to meet current and future threats by enhancing the strength of its homeland defense. The Republic of Iraq will have no difficulty absorbing these services into its armed forces.” The agency also stated that the proposed sale would contribute to the United States’ foreign policy and national security objectives.
The Iraqi Air Force (IQAF or IrAF) currently operates more than 50 Bell-produced helicopters, including the 206, OH-58C Kiowa, 407, and 505. Aside from these helicopters, the IQAF inventory includes Aérospatiale Gazelle SA342M, Eurocopter EC635T2+, Russian-made Mi-17, Mi-28NE and Mi-35M helicopters. However, the majority of the EC-635 and Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters are currently inoperable due to problems in the supply of spare parts. The OH-58 and Bell 407 helicopters used by the Iraqi Security Forces are becoming outdated. Due to this, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense requested the US in February through the Foreign Military Sales program for approval to purchase 15 new Bell 505s to replace the existing Bell 407 and OH-58 training fleet, as well as 16 Bell 412M and 4 Bell 412EPX medium lift helicopters to replace the fleet of Mi-17s.