US Approves $181 Million For Iraq’s AC/RC-208 Fleet Sustainment Package

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has approved sale of five-year sustainment package for Iraq’s AC/RC-208 fleet costing an approximate $181 million.

The sale includes operational, intermediate, and depot-level maintenance; spare parts; component repair; publication updates; maintenance training; and logistics. Also included in this sale are Contract Logistics Services (CLS), training services, and Contract Engineering Services. There is no MDE associated with this possible sale, DSCA said in a statement earlier this week.

The purchase of this sustainment package will allow the Iraqi Air Force (IqAF) to continue to operate its fleet of eight C-208 light attack and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft beyond the June 2016 end of its existing CLS contract. Limited IqAF maintenance capability necessitates continued CLS. Ultimately, the goal is for the IqAF to become self-sufficient in the areas of aircraft maintenance and logistics training. Iraq will have no difficulty absorbing this support.

The principal contractors will be Orbital ATK in Falls Church, Virginia, and Flight Safety International in Flushing, New York. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.