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WASHINGTON, May 7 (UPI) -- Three countries are separately seeking to procure ammunition and two types of air-to-air missiles worth a combined total of an estimated $363 million. The proposed sales to Iraq, Indonesia and Malaysia for high-explosive mortar ammunition, AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder missiles, and AIM-120C7 AMRAAM missiles would be through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program.
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The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which manages the FMS program, told Congress the sales would serve U.S. national security interests and that all three proposed deals had passed muster with the U.S. State Department.
Iraq, the agency said, is specifically seeking a package deal worth $363 million for 5,000 81mm high explosive mortar ammunition, 684,000 M203 40mm high explosive ammunition, 532,000 MK19 40mm high explosive dual-purpose ammunition, and 40,000 155mm high explosives for its cannons. Also included in the request are small arms ammunition, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment.
"This proposed sale of additional ammunition is critical in providing continued combat power capability as Iraq continues its fight against an organized insurgency of extremists in Iraq," the agency said.
Iraq is fighting troops of the Islamic State, known also by the acronyms ISIS and ISIL, which have captured large areas of territory to the north of Baghdad. The United States and others are conducting bombing raids in northern Iraq in support of the Iraqi government, while Iran has reportedly been providing support on the ground to Iraqi troops closer to the Iraqi capital.
Last December Iraq had asked the United States for the sale of 175 M1A1 Abrams tanks and for Humvees, machine guns and grenade launchers.
An unknown number of Iraqi Army vehicles and weapon systems had been captured by insurgents last year as Iraqi troops fled from IS's drive south from Northern Iraq and Syria.
The prime contractors for the current FMS request would be American Ordinance in Middletown, Iowa and AMTEC in Janesville, Wis.
Indonesia, meanwhile, is requesting 30 AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder missiles and associated systems to become more capable of defeating threats to regional stability and its homeland and improve its capability in current and future coalition efforts.
The Sidewinder is an air-to-air missile from Raytheon that uses infrared homing for guidance.
In addition to the 30 operational missiles, Indonesia's FMS request also includes AIM-9X-2 captive air training missiles, Block II tactical missile guidance units, Block II guidance units, and dummy air training missiles.
Containers, test sets and support equipment, spare and repair parts, personnel training and training equipment, and logistics are also covered by the proposed $47 million deal.
DSCA told Congress temporary assignment to Indonesia of government or contractor personnel may be required.
No government or contractor personnel would be required for temporary assignment for implementation of the sales package sought by Malaysia, which is worth $21 million.
The Malaysian request is for the possible sale of 10 AIM-120C7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, or AMRAAM, plus spare parts and accessories, which would ensure a sustained capability of the country's F/A-18D aircraft.
Raytheon would be the principal contractor for the package.
