Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki is pressing the Pentagon to fast-track delivery of the 18 F-16s ordered under an initial foreign military sales deal last September, reports AFP. Al Maliki “called for the acceleration” of equipping the Iraqi military “in a way that makes it able to defend Iraq, and its sovereignty, and independence,” states the news wire service’s July 16 report, citing a statement from the prime minister’s office. Under the original schedule, the Iraqis were on tap to receive their first F-16s around late 2013. The AFP report does not provide a new target delivery date. Al Maliki stressed that Iraq’s intent is not aggression, but the country would “reject anyone transgressing upon us or infringing on our sovereignty,” states AFP. Iraq is looking to acquire 36 F-16 Block 52 airplanes from the United States under FMS arrangements.
Boeing received a $2.47 billion Air Force contract Nov. 25 for 15 more KC-46s, bringing to 183 the number of Pegasus tankers on contract to all customers, foreign and domestic. The new contract—for Lot 12 of the initially planned KC-46 buy—is to be completed by 2029.
