Home
Iraq to buy U.S. drones to protect oil exports
.
By USA TODAY
Published: Monday, May 21, 2012, 6:02 p.m.
BAGHDAD -- The United States has agreed to sell unarmed surveillance drones to Iraq's navy as part of an effort to help guard that nation's oil exports amid growing tensions in the Persian Gulf and to strengthen ties between the nations.
"They understand the importance of the mission to protect its oil platforms," said Army Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen, who heads the Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq.
The office, which operates out of the U.S. Embassy and manages military sales programs in Iraq, confirmed the sale of drones but declined to say the model or number of drones that are part of the contract.
The drones will allow Iraq's military to keep a continuous watch over its oil terminals within Iraqi territorial waters of the Persian Gulf, where a significant portion of the world's oil originates and which Iran has occasionally threatened to blockade.
The sales of drones and other military equipment are viewed by the United States as a way to maintain deep ties with Iraq after the departure of American troops in December. The sales "help facilitate that strategic relationship," Caslen said.
Iraq said it is buying more than $15 billion worth of military hardware, including 36 F-16 fighter planes, M-1 tanks and armored personnel carriers, insisting the weapons are for defensive purposes.
"Iraq should have the ability to protect itself against outside aggression," said Ali al-Moussawi, an adviser to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
.
By USA TODAY
Published: Monday, May 21, 2012, 6:02 p.m.
BAGHDAD -- The United States has agreed to sell unarmed surveillance drones to Iraq's navy as part of an effort to help guard that nation's oil exports amid growing tensions in the Persian Gulf and to strengthen ties between the nations.
"They understand the importance of the mission to protect its oil platforms," said Army Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen, who heads the Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq.
The office, which operates out of the U.S. Embassy and manages military sales programs in Iraq, confirmed the sale of drones but declined to say the model or number of drones that are part of the contract.
The drones will allow Iraq's military to keep a continuous watch over its oil terminals within Iraqi territorial waters of the Persian Gulf, where a significant portion of the world's oil originates and which Iran has occasionally threatened to blockade.
The sales of drones and other military equipment are viewed by the United States as a way to maintain deep ties with Iraq after the departure of American troops in December. The sales "help facilitate that strategic relationship," Caslen said.
Iraq said it is buying more than $15 billion worth of military hardware, including 36 F-16 fighter planes, M-1 tanks and armored personnel carriers, insisting the weapons are for defensive purposes.
"Iraq should have the ability to protect itself against outside aggression," said Ali al-Moussawi, an adviser to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
