Iraq - Helicopters, Vehicles, Weapons and Support

[big bad john]

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?session=dae.16742938.1131572689.Q3Jt0cOa9dUAAHzOZ4o&modele=jdc_34

Iraq - Helicopters, Vehicles, Weapons and Support 
 
 
(Source: US Defense Security Cooperation Agency; issued Sept. 19, 2006)
 
 
 

The Iraqi Army operates a variety of surplus vehicles provided by NATO countries, such as this Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV) being delivered by the US Army in August. (US Army photo))WASHINGTON --- The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq of helicopters, vehicles, weapons and support as well as associated equipment and services. 

The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $500 million. 

The Government of Iraq has requested a possible sale of the following weapons: 

- 10,126 M17 9mm Glock Pistols 
- 50,750 M16A2 Rifles 
- 50,750 M4A1 Rifles 
- 3,442 M24 Sniper Rifles 
- 8,105 M249 Machine Guns 
- 3,037 M240B Machine Guns 
- 1,268 Generation (Gen) II Single Tube Night Vision Goggles 
- 15 AN/PVS-17 Gen III Assault Weapon Sights 
- 40 AN/PVS-10 Gen II Sniper Weapon Sights 
- 20 Mi-17 Troop Transport Helicopters 
- 600 Infantry Light Armored Vehicles Armored Personnel Carriers 
- 2,126,250 9mm Pistol Ammunition 
- 35,437,500 5.56mm Rifle Ammunition 
- 633,328 7.62mm Sniper Rifle Ammunition 
- 1,621,000 5.56mm Machine Gun Ammunition 
- 1,214,800 M240 7.62mm Crew Served Machine Gun Ammunition 
- 9,562 Hand Held Pyrotechnics and 
- 8,670 Hand Held Smoke Munitions. 

Also included: logistics support services/equipment for helicopters (Jet Ranger, Huey II and Mi-17) and vehicles (Standard/Non-Standard Wheeled Vehicles, Tracked Vehicles, Infantry Light Armored Vehicles Armored Personnel Carriers) and small/medium weapons and weapon systems, on-job-training, laser pointers, supply and maintenance support, measuring and hand tools for ground systems, technical support, software upgrades, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $500 million. 

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country. This proposed sale directly supports the Iraqi government and serves the interests of the Iraqi people and the U.S., as well as offering hope for a more stable and peaceful Middle East. 

The Government of Iraq has an assortment of multiple makes of antiquated vehicles with some new vehicles provided under the Multi-National Security Transition Command. The multiple makes of antiquated vehicles are difficult and costly to maintain. The modernization plan calls for purifying the fleet with more capable equipment and services to sustain equipment. The troop helicopter carries will allow the Iraqis to rapidly move troops into position. Also, the aircraft will provide the capability to medical evacuate casualties. Leadership, tactical and technical training is needed to develop a professional Iraqi Armed Forces. 

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region. 

The contractors are unknown at this time. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. 

Implementation of this sale may require the assignment of up to 69 contractor representatives to execute the maintenance program for a duration up to 24 months. There will be up to 11 contractors to field and train Iraqi personnel on operating the equipment and maintenance for 8 months. 

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. 

This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded. (ends) 

 
 
Iraq - Logistics Support for Helicopters, Vehicles, and Weapons 
 
 
(Source: US Defense Security Cooperation Agency; issued Sept. 19, 2006)
 
 
 
WASHINGTON --- The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq of logistics support for Helicopters, Vehicles, Weapons as well as associated equipment and services. 

The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $250 million. 

The Government of Iraq has requested a possible sale of logistics support services/equipment for helicopters (Jet Ranger, Huey II and Mi-17) and vehicles (Standard/Non-Standard Wheeled Vehicles, Tracked Vehicles, Infantry Light Armored Vehicles Armored Personnel Carriers) and small/medium weapons and weapon systems including on-job-training, supply and maintenance support, measuring and hand tools for ground systems, software upgrades, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $250 million. 

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the U.S. by helping to improve the security of a friendly country. This proposed sale directly supports the Iraqi government and serves the interests of the Iraqi people and the United States. 

The Government of Iraq needs the contractor technical support, maintenance, and logistical services to maintain the operational capabilities of its helicopters, vehicles, and small/medium weapons and weapon systems. 

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region. 

The contractors are unknown at this time. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. 

Implementation of this sale may require the assignment of up to 10 Government and up to 65 contractor representatives to oversee up to 10 ground maintenance sites in Iraq for two years. 

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. 
This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded. 

-ends- 

 

[big bad john]

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2006/06/bae-delivering-a-cougar-variant-for-iraqs-4454m-ilav-contract/index.php

BAE Delivering a Cougar Variant for Iraq's $445.4M ILAV Contract
Posted 08-Jun-2006 12:14
Related stories: Americas - USA, BAE, Contracts - Awards, Delivery & Task Orders, Engineering Vehicles, Middle East - Other, Other Corporation, Partnerships & Consortia, Warfare - Trends
Also on this day: 08-Jun-2006 »

BAE Systems has received a $180 million Foreign Military Sales delivery order from from the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command to manufacture 378 Iraqi Light Armored Vehicles (ILAV). Work on the contract will begin immediately with deliveries scheduled to continue through May 2007. The total value of the indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract could reach $445.4 million and 1,050 vehicles if all options are exercised, and deliveries could continue until the end of November 2009. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on May 5, 2006, and 16 bids were received.

What's even more interesting is the vehicle that BAE bid and the Iraqis selected: a design based on Force Protection Inc's v-hulled Cougar 4×4 that has earned such praise from US Marine Corps and Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams in Iraq. BAE Systems already made a number of eligible armored vehicles. So why the Cougar?...

After all, BAE's vast array of products include the M2/M3 Bradley, the M113 APC family, the highly-regarded v-hulled RG-31 Nyala 4×4s that are also in battlefield use by American and Canadian troops, and larger v-hulled Casspir personnel carriers that have a long history of effective use in mined war zones.

DID spoke with a BAE executive, whose simple response was that they looked at the Iraqis' stated requirements, looked at what was available on the market, decided that this option would be the best offering, and put the consortium together.

BAE Systems Land and Armaments is the prime contractor for the ILAV, with subcontractors Force Protection Inc. in Ladson, SC, and Spartan Chassis, Inc. in Charlotte, MI. This consortium will also have the happy result of expanding the manufacturing capacity for Cougar-type vehicles; BAE Systems personnel told DID that work would be going on at Spartan Chassis in Michigan and BAE's manufacturing plants in Anniston, AL and York, PA, as well as Force Protection's South Carolina facilities. The DefenseLINK release actually notes a 50/50 work split between Anniston, AL and Ladson, SC (W56HZV-06-D-VB01).

DID Analysis/ Op-Ed


We'd also like to note two other points of interest:

One is the new Marine Corps Armored Turret System sitting on the BAE photo release of the new ILAV. Good thinking.

The second item is the fact that unlike the RG-31 or Casspir, the Cougar is built in the USA and has just expanded its manufacturing capacity there. While it's a bit early to float merger & acquisition rumors, and the BAE executives we talked to didn't even hint in that direction, BAE Systems is quite open about its desire to be a major trans-Atlantic competitor in all areas of its business. The Airbus sale will give them $5-8 billion in cash, and Force Protection vehicles like the Cougar and Buffalo are proving quite popular in the USA and gathering an enviable combat reputation.

With the ILAV order, the Cougar takes an important step forward, moving beyond an EOD specialty vehicle and into the growing niche for mine-protected patrol vehicles. Working with Force Protection to produce these vehicles gives plenty of time for due diligence and corporate culture compatibility checks, and adding the Cougar and Buffalo to its stable would give it a formidable set of options for international competitions against Krauss-Maffei's Dingo, Iveco's MLV/Panther, and ADI's Bushmaster IMV. Not to mention a US option that none of the others could match, as the US military considers what vehicle or vehicle mix should follow the Hummer.

This contract will be worth watching, for a number of reasons.