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| Iraq |
| Iraq Seeks F-16 Fighters |
| 2008-09-05 |
| The Iraqi government is seeking to buy 36 advanced F-16 fighters from the U.S., say American military officials familiar with the request, a move that could help reduce its reliance on U.S. air power and potentially allow more American forces to withdraw from the country than had been proposed. If it clears hurdles in Washington, the multibillion-dollar deal would give the Iraqi government a powerful new weapon to use against the country's Shiite and Sunni insurgents. But the rapid rebuilding of Iraq's military forces with U.S. equipment such as F-16s could also be viewed with concern by other countries in the region, because of the placement of advanced weaponry in the hands of a nascent government of a country still struggling for stability. The Air Force says it has 300 planes and helicopters in Iraq and Afghanistan, mostly in Iraq, but declined to provide a further breakdown, making it difficult to assess the impact of the proposed sale on overall air power there. Senior American officials have long argued that Iraq would need the U.S. to keep fighters and attack helicopters deployed throughout the country indefinitely, even as American ground troops start to withdraw. Iraq now appears determined to significantly expand the air power of its military, which has become more competent and confident in recent months but depends heavily on the U.S. for air support. Iraq quickly has become one of the biggest weapons buyers in the world as it seeks to strengthen and professionalize its fighting force. ... |
| Posted by:ed |
| #2 how about some of that oil in exchange??? |
| Posted by: USN, Ret. 2008-09-05 17:09 |
| #1 And when they get powerful enough to take on Iran, look out. |
| Posted by: Rambler in California 2008-09-05 16:36 |