Pentagon proposes $2.7 billion arms sales to Iraq

11 Aug 2013 Amid the most deadly month in Iraq in five years, the Pentagon has notified Congress of $2.7 billion in new arms sales to the [US-installed] Iraqi government. The latest contracts, that would provide air defense, communications systems and maintenance, would raise to nearly $5 billion the value of arms sales proposals to Iraq sent to Congress over the past two weeks. Congress has 30 days to act to block the contracts, but otherwise the arms sales would enjoy a tacit approval. The biggest contract, which involves the sale of 681 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and 40 truck-mounted launchers among other advanced equipment, is worth an estimated $2.4 billion.