Wed Sep 25 07:42:55 UTC 2024: ## US Approves $65 Million Sale of Ship Maintenance Services to Iraq
**WASHINGTON, September 24, 2024** – The State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale of follow-on technical support for vessel maintenance and repair to the Government of Iraq, with an estimated cost of $65 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of this potential sale today.
The proposed sale includes additional services building upon a previously implemented case that fell under the congressional notification threshold. The original sale, valued at $39 million, encompassed technical support for the maintenance and repair of various vessels, including ship repair, upgrades, overhaul services, and logistics support.
This new notification extends that support and services, with an estimated total cost of $65 million. The sale is anticipated to improve Iraq’s ability to address current and future security threats by bolstering its homeland defense capabilities.
The State Department maintains that this proposed sale aligns with U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing the security of a strategic partner. The sale is not expected to disrupt the military balance in the region.
Amentum, a Chantilly, VA-based contractor, will be the primary contractor for the project. Implementation of the sale would involve the annual deployment of approximately 65 contractor representatives from various countries to Iraq to support the vessel maintenance and repair program.
The State Department emphasized that this proposed sale will have no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness.
The final cost and scope of the sale will depend on the finalized requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreements. Further inquiries regarding this proposed sale should be directed to the State Department’s Bureau of Political Military-Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs at pm-cpa@state.gov.
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