US approves $800M sale of Bell 412EPX, 407M helicopters to Iraq

The US State Department has approved a possible $800 million sale of Bell 412EPX and Bell 407M helicopters to Iraq as the country continues replacing aging Russian-built rotorcraft with US-made aircraft.

The proposed Foreign Military Sale includes armed helicopters, weapons, sensors, communications equipment, spare parts, training and logistical support. Bell Textron will serve as the principal contractor.

The State Department approved the sale on August 31, 2026, and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the proposed transaction.

The package includes GAU-19 three-barrel machine guns and M260 seven-tube launchers for 2.75-inch rockets, along with L3Harris WESCAM MX-15HDI electro-optical and infrared sensor systems.

Also included are AN/AAR-60 Block 2 missile warning systems, VHF radios, ground support equipment, spare and repair parts, technical documentation and training for Iraqi pilots and maintenance personnel.

The DSCA did not specify how many Bell 412EPX or 407M helicopters Iraq would receive under the proposed sale.

The two types would perform different roles in the Iraqi fleet. The twin-engine Bell 412EPX is designed for utility and transport missions, while the smaller 407M is a military version of the Bell 407 configured for missions including armed reconnaissance and light attack.

According to the State Department, the sale would improve Iraq’s ability to conduct rotary-wing transport, reconnaissance and air-to-surface targeting missions.

The acquisition also fits into a longer-running Iraqi effort to replace Russian-built helicopters that have become increasingly difficult to maintain.

Iraq has operated a sizable fleet of Russian-built Mi-17 helicopters, but US government reports have previously identified difficulties obtaining spare parts following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier Iraqi modernization plans called for the acquisition of Bell 412-family helicopters to replace Mi-17s and Bell 407Ms to replace older Bell 407s already operated by Iraqi forces. Those previously reported quantities are separate from the newly approved sale, which does not specify aircraft numbers.

The $800 million figure represents the estimated maximum value of the proposed package rather than the final contract price. The value and equipment included in Foreign Military Sales can change as negotiations proceed.

The proposed sale comes as Iraq continues taking greater responsibility for its own security while the US-led military coalition winds down its current mission against ISIS in the country.

The US and Iraq agreed on a phased transition from the coalition mission toward bilateral security relationships, with the current phase scheduled to conclude by the end of September 2026.The post US approves $800M sale of Bell 412EPX, 407M helicopters to Iraq appeared first on AeroTime.

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