Abrams tanks on exercise in the field. (Photo from Army-Technology)From Military.com:
In a turnaround from previous policy, the Iraqi army will acquire 140 advanced American-made battle tanks with help from the U.S. military over the next 18 months.
The deal, announced this week by U.S. military officials in Iraq, was called a "major step in the force modernization of [the Iraqi army's] armored units."
The M1A1SA Abrams tanks are expected to be acquired by the Iraqis in groups of 35 over the next 18 months. Officials with the Multi-National Security Transition Command in Iraq did not answer questions about whether the Iraqis paid for the tanks under the Foreign Military Sales program or they were donated by the U.S. military.
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My Comment: The first of many armor purchases from the Iraqi Government.