U.S. eyes weapons sales worth up to $2.3 billion to Iraq

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon on Wednesday told Congress it was ready to sell Iraq up to $2.3 billion worth of weapons to help the Iraqi Army expand and take over missions now carried out by U.S. and allied forces.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees foreign military sales, said the sale would include vehicles, small arms ammunition, explosives and communications equipment, as well as upgrades to 32 additional UH-1 helicopters built by Textron Inc unit Bell Helicopter.

The agency did not list any contractors but said there were no offset agreements mandating investment in Iraq in connection with the sale.

It said the sale would allow the Iraqi Army to expand its force structure by 25 battalions and a brigade headquarters.

"This expansion will enable Iraq to equip new forces to assume the missions currently accomplished by U.S. and coalition forces and to sustain themselves in their efforts to bring stability to the country," DSCA said in a statement.

Once Congress is notified of a weapons sale, lawmakers have 30 days to block the deal, although such action is rare.

DSCA said the Iraqi government had requested 980 M1151 Humvees and 123,544 M16A4 rifles, as well as a wide array of trucks and other vehicles, small arms, munitions, explosives and communications equipment.