Iraq Requests More U.S. MBTs

WASHINGTON [MENL] -- Iraq has relayed its second request for advanced U.S.
main battle tanks in 2008.
The Bush administration has approved an Iraqi request for 140 M1A1
Abrams MBTs as part of a $2.1 billion deal. Officials said this marked the
second such Iraqi request for the Abrams in 2008 as part of plans to develop
the Iraq Army.
"The proposed sale and upgrade will allow Iraq to operate and exercise a
more lethal and survivable M1A1M tank for the protection of critical
infrastructure," the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said. "Iraq will
have no difficulty absorbing these tanks, including the support vehicles,
into its armed forces."