a
World Defense & Security News - Iraq
 
 
U.S. approves a $350 FMS from Iraq for King Air 350 aircraft fleet support
 
The United States State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Iraq for King Air 350 aircraft sustainment, logistics, and spares support. The estimated cost is $350 million, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on Feb. 24, 2016.
     
US approves a 350 FMS from Iraq for King Air 350 aircraft fleet support 640 001An IrAF King Air 350I aircraft
(Credit: US DoD)
     
The Government of Iraq is requesting a five-year sustainment package for its King Air 350 fleet that includes operational and intermediate depot level maintenance, spare parts, component repair, publication updates, maintenance training, and logistics. There is no Major Defense Equipment associated with this case. The overall total estimated value is $350 million.

The Iraq Air Force (IqAF) operates five King Air 350 ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) and one King Air 350 aircraft. The KA-350 aircraft are Iraq’s only ISR-dedicated airborne platforms and are used to support Iraqi military operations against Al-Qaeda affiliates and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) forces. The purchase of a sustainment package will allow the IqAF to continue to operate its fleet of six KA-350 aircraft beyond September 2016 (end of the existing Contract Logistics Support (CLS) effort). Iraq will have no difficulty absorbing this support.

"The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security goals of the United States by helping to improve a critical capability of the Iraq Security Forces in defeating ISIL", stated the DSCA.

The prime contractor will be Beechcraft Defense Company, Wichita, KS.