US approves $800 million Bell helicopter sale to Iraq

September 1, 2026 at 02:31 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

The U.S. State Department approved a possible $800 million Foreign Military Sale to Iraq on August 31, 2026, covering Bell 407M armed reconnaissance and Bell 412EPX utility helicopters. The package includes weapons, sensors, training, and support to restructure Iraqi Army Aviation. The deal addresses transport, reconnaissance, and air-to-surface strike missions.

Key Facts

The U.S. State Department approved the possible sale on August 31, 2026, valued at $800 million.
The package includes Bell 407M and Bell 412EPX helicopters, GAU-19 machine guns, M260 rocket launchers, MX-15HDI sensors, and AN/AAR-60 missile warning systems.
The Bell 407M has a maximum gross weight of 2,381 kg, while the Bell 412EPX reaches 5,535 kg.
Earlier U.S. planning envisaged 15 Bell 407Ms, four Bell 412EPXs, and 16 Bell 412Ms, but the August 2026 authorization omits quantities.

The Sale

The U.S. State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq valued at $800 million on August 31, 2026. The sale covers an unspecified number of Bell 407M armed reconnaissance helicopters and Bell 412EPX utility helicopters. Iraq requested GAU-19 three-barrel machine guns, M260 seven-tube 70 mm rocket launchers, L-3 Wescam MX-15HDI electro-optical/infrared sensors, and AN/AAR-60 Block 2 missile-launch detection systems. The package also includes VHF radios, spare parts, ground-support equipment, pilot and maintenance training, and U.S. government and contractor engineering and logistics support.

Aircraft Capabilities

The Bell 407M is a light armed reconnaissance helicopter capable of detecting, identifying, tracking, and engaging ground targets by day or night. It uses EO/IR sensors, machine guns, and 70 mm rockets. The Bell 407M has a maximum gross weight of 2,381 kg and one Rolls-Royce 250-C47E/4 engine. The Bell 412EPX reaches 5,535 kg internally and uses two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T-9 engines.

Fleet Restructuring

The acquisition addresses transport, reconnaissance, and air-to-surface targeting missions for Iraqi Army Aviation. Earlier U.S. planning envisaged 15 Bell 407Ms, four Bell 412EPXs, and 16 Bell 412Ms, producing a 35-aircraft operational fleet. The August 2026 authorization omits the Bell 412M and gives no quantities. The earlier 15/4/16 distribution can only be used to understand the previous replacement concept, not to calculate the final Iraqi order.