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A breakdown of all the weapons the U.S. wants to give Iraq to fight militants A breakdown of all the weapons the U.S. wants to give Iraq to fight militants
(3 days later)
Top U.S. officials said earlier this month that they would ask Congress to spend $1.6 billion in fiscal 2015 to help equip security forces across Iraq, as the country continues to grapple with how to expel Islamic State militants from cities and towns in controls. A new Defense Department document outlines what that money will go toward — and underscores just how much firepower Washington wants to send Baghdad in its bid to help.Top U.S. officials said earlier this month that they would ask Congress to spend $1.6 billion in fiscal 2015 to help equip security forces across Iraq, as the country continues to grapple with how to expel Islamic State militants from cities and towns in controls. A new Defense Department document outlines what that money will go toward — and underscores just how much firepower Washington wants to send Baghdad in its bid to help.
The details are in a 16-page justification for an amendment to the Pentagon’s fiscal 2015 budget sent to Congress. It calls for $1.24 billion to be spent on weapons for the Iraqi military, $354.8 million to be spent on arms for Kurdish peshmerga troops, and $24.1 million for an arsenal sent to tribal security forces in western Anbar province. Bloomberg News reported on the document Friday.The details are in a 16-page justification for an amendment to the Pentagon’s fiscal 2015 budget sent to Congress. It calls for $1.24 billion to be spent on weapons for the Iraqi military, $354.8 million to be spent on arms for Kurdish peshmerga troops, and $24.1 million for an arsenal sent to tribal security forces in western Anbar province. Bloomberg News reported on the document Friday.
“The focus of [Defense Department] efforts is to work with, by and through the [government of Iraq]to build the necessary military capability to counter ISIL,” the budget document said, using one of the acronyms for the militant group. “The program addresses the immediate equipping issues brought on by the rapid expansion of ISIL into Iraq and the requirements for counter-offensive operations.”“The focus of [Defense Department] efforts is to work with, by and through the [government of Iraq]to build the necessary military capability to counter ISIL,” the budget document said, using one of the acronyms for the militant group. “The program addresses the immediate equipping issues brought on by the rapid expansion of ISIL into Iraq and the requirements for counter-offensive operations.”
Among the weapons that would be sent are about 57,600 M4 carbine rifles. They each cost about $647, and are made by Colt Defense of Hartford, Conn. Some 43,200 M4s would be sent to Iraqi army units, and additional 14,400 would be sent to the peshmerga, who defend much of northern Iraq. The Pentagon also would buy 5,000 Kalishnikov rifles for tribal forces. The M4s would cost about $37 million. Among the weapons that would be sent are about 57,600 M4 carbine rifles. They each cost about $647, and are made by Colt Defense of Hartford, Conn., although other manufacturers could compete for the contract. Some 43,200 M4s would be sent to Iraqi army units, and additional 14,400 would be sent to the peshmerga, who defend much of northern Iraq. The Pentagon also would buy 5,000 Kalishnikov rifles for tribal forces. The M4s would cost about $37 million.
A variety of much heavier weapons also would be sent. They include M2 .50-caliber machine guns, M240 7.62mm-caliber machine guns, several kinds of mortars and M3 Carl Gustav recoilless rifles, an 84mm anti-tank round that can be fired by a single soldier. The M3 looks like this:A variety of much heavier weapons also would be sent. They include M2 .50-caliber machine guns, M240 7.62mm-caliber machine guns, several kinds of mortars and M3 Carl Gustav recoilless rifles, an 84mm anti-tank round that can be fired by a single soldier. The M3 looks like this:
The Pentagon also would send thousands of cargo trucks, including 2,400 of its “light medium tactical vehicle,” which each can carry about 2.5 tons. The Iraqi army would get about 1,800 at a cost of $317.6 million, and the peshmerga would get another 600 at a cost of $105.9 million.The Pentagon also would send thousands of cargo trucks, including 2,400 of its “light medium tactical vehicle,” which each can carry about 2.5 tons. The Iraqi army would get about 1,800 at a cost of $317.6 million, and the peshmerga would get another 600 at a cost of $105.9 million.
U.S. officials also want to send at least 60,000 sets of body armor to Iraq. About 45,000 would go to the Iraqi army at a cost of $90 million, and an additional 15,000 would go to the peshmerga at a cost of $30 million. Corresponding numbers of helmets would be sent to both forces at a cost of $11.25 million and $3.75 million, respectively.U.S. officials also want to send at least 60,000 sets of body armor to Iraq. About 45,000 would go to the Iraqi army at a cost of $90 million, and an additional 15,000 would go to the peshmerga at a cost of $30 million. Corresponding numbers of helmets would be sent to both forces at a cost of $11.25 million and $3.75 million, respectively.
The Sunni tribal forces the Pentagon wants to equip are in Anbar, where the Islamic State has seized broad stretches of territory and taken over cities like Fallujah. The Iraqi army is “not particularly welcome” in Anbar because it is dominated by Shiites, so it would be better to equip the tribal forces separately, the budget document said.The Sunni tribal forces the Pentagon wants to equip are in Anbar, where the Islamic State has seized broad stretches of territory and taken over cities like Fallujah. The Iraqi army is “not particularly welcome” in Anbar because it is dominated by Shiites, so it would be better to equip the tribal forces separately, the budget document said.
“Armed tribal forces fighting on their own territory and among their own people offer both a more effective, motivated force and encouragement to like-minded tribal forces to initiate their own insurrection against ISIL — so long as these tribal forces operate under the [Iraqi security force] security umbrella,” the document said. “Not arming tribal fighters will continue to leave anti-ISIL tribes reluctant to actively counter ISIL.”“Armed tribal forces fighting on their own territory and among their own people offer both a more effective, motivated force and encouragement to like-minded tribal forces to initiate their own insurrection against ISIL — so long as these tribal forces operate under the [Iraqi security force] security umbrella,” the document said. “Not arming tribal fighters will continue to leave anti-ISIL tribes reluctant to actively counter ISIL.”
UPDATE: This post was edited to clarify that Colt Defense is not the only manufacturer that could compete for the M4 contract.