Iraq Buying Up to $508M in Fuel & Ammo
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The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress [PDF format] of Iraq’s request of various small arms ammunition, explosives, and other consumables as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $508 million.
The contractors are unknown at this time, and there are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale, which includes 75 million gallons of diesel fuel, $56.4 million gallons of MOGAS (gasoline), and 2.9 million gallons of JP-8 jet fuel. Iraq is also looking to buy ammunition for small arms, grenades, pyrotechnics, and explosives for demolition that includes:
- 600,000 rounds 12 Gauge 00 Buckshot
- 16 million rounds 9mm Ball
- 100 million rounds M855 5.56 Ball
- 40 million rounds 5.56mm Tracer
- 50 million rounds 5.56mm Blank
- 36 million rounds 5.56mm 4 Ball/1 Tracer
- 30 million rounds 7.62mm 4 Ball/1 Tracer
- 10 million rounds M118 7.62 X 51mm Ball
- 100 million rounds 7.62mm X 39mm Ball
- 20 million rounds .50 Caliber 4 Ball/1 Tracer
- 170,000 rounds 40mm HEDP Grenade
- 80,000 C4 1-pound blocks
- 4.2 million Feet Detonating Cord
- 110,000 Feet Time Fuze
- 20,000 Time Fuze Igniter
- 20,000 Non-Electric Blasting Caps
- 112,500 M14 Non-Electric Blasting Caps
- 180,00 Flash Bang Grenades, useful in dazzling enemies when entering buildings
- 20,000 HC Smoke Grenades
- 20,000 Yellow Smoke Grenades
The ammunition order is representative of the growing duality of small arms within the Iraqi forces: Russian 7.62mm, and American 5.56mm weapons whose introduction was accelerated by the September 2006 weapon request. The contracts will also include the usual logistics support services/equipment spare and repair parts; support equipment, publications and documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics support.
