The Pentagon has given the green light to two new possible supplies of arms abroad. The first, worth 81,4 million dollars, concerns the sale of Missile Warning System for helicopters from Egypt. The second concerns the possible sale of two Cessna AC-208s (photo) to Iraq for a value of 65,3 million dollars. BAE Systems and Dyncorp are the contractors for the sale of the supply in Egypt, according to the announcement posted on the website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
The agreement is expected to include 67 AN / AAR-57 alarm systems Common Missile Warning System, including installation, testing, training and logistical support. To benefit from the supply would be the entire Egyptian rotor fleet consisting of AH-64E Apache, UH-60 Blackhawk and CH-47 Chinook.
The sale is considered advantageous for the United States because, according to the note of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, would improve the security of a strategic partner for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. Iraq, on the other hand, would acquire the Cessna for military operations against al Qaeda and the forces of the Islamic State.
Baghdad bought three AC-208s Combat Caravan and three C-208S in 2008. The primary contractor is Orbital ATK, Virginia. Cessna AC-208s are equipped with launchers Hellfire. The total value of the supply is 65,3 million dollars. The two platforms have an estimated cost of $ 16 million: the rest of the contract is for the support package.
The AC-208 represent low cost solutions in unchallenged aerial contexts and with very little presence of Manpads on the ground.
(photo: US DoD)
