US approves $800 million military helicopter sale to Iraq

WASHINGTON, United States — The U.S. State Department has approved an $800 million sale of military helicopters to Iraq, with Texas-based Bell Textron of Fort Worth named as the prime contractor. The deal comes as Baghdad works to modernize its air fleet by replacing its Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters with U.S.-built platforms. According to The Drive, Iraq accelerated the effort in early 2023 after supply-chain problems for Mi-17 parts emerged in the wake of the war in Ukraine, prompting Baghdad to present its fleet renewal plans to Washington. The package is part of a broader shift away from Russian helicopter technology toward American-made alternatives. It still requires formal review by the U.S. Congress before it is finalized. Officials have described the sale as part of continued U.S. defense support for Iraq, a key military partner in the Middle East.