Iraq would receive six C-130J transport aircraft and Israel nine of these platforms under pending foreign military sales announced by the Department of Defense late last month. Iraq would get the six Super Hercules aircraft and associated equipment and services under a proposed $1.5 billion deal, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement. Israel’s package of nine airplanes, spares and support could run as high as $1.9 billion, DSCA said in a separate release. Iraq and Israel would join Australia, Britain, Canada, Denmark, India, Italy, and Norway as international customers of the aircraft, which are also in use in several versions by the US military, including the Air Force.
President Donald Trump signed legislation reopening the federal government late Nov. 12, ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The move sets the stage for tens of thousands of defense civilians to return to work and guarantees troops will be paid in a few days’ time.
