US Approves $800M Bell Helicopter Sale

The US State Department has approved a possible $800 million foreign military sale of Bell 412EPX and Bell 407M helicopters to Iraq. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the proposed transaction on August 31, 2026.

Bell Textron will act as the principal contractor for the package. The deal includes armed helicopters, weapons, sensors, communications equipment, spare parts, training, and logistical support. The DSCA did not specify the number of aircraft involved.

Proposed Equipment and Roles

The proposed sale includes a suite of weapons and sensors for the helicopters. This encompasses GAU-19 three-barrel machine guns and M260 seven-tube launchers for 2.75-inch rockets. Also included are L3Harris WESCAM MX-15HDI electro-optical and infrared sensor systems, AN/AAR-60 Block 2 missile warning systems, and VHF radios.

The two helicopter types are intended for distinct missions within the Iraqi fleet. The twin-engine Bell 412EPX is designed for utility and transport. The smaller Bell 407M is a military version configured for armed reconnaissance and light attack roles.

According to the State Department, this equipment would improve Iraq's capacity to conduct rotary-wing transport, reconnaissance, and air-to-surface targeting missions.

Replacing an Aging Fleet

The acquisition supports a longer-term Iraqi effort to replace its aging Russian-built helicopters. Iraq has operated a sizable fleet of Russian Mi-17 helicopters. US government reports have previously identified growing difficulties in obtaining spare parts for these aircraft following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier modernization plans, separate from this new sale, had called for Bell 412-family helicopters to replace Mi-17s and Bell 407Ms to replace older Bell 407s already in Iraqi service.

Deal Value and Strategic Context

The $800 million figure is an estimated maximum value for the proposed package, not a final contract price. The value and specific equipment in Foreign Military Sales can change during negotiations.

The proposed sale coincides with a shift in Iraq's security landscape. Iraq is taking greater responsibility for its own security as the US-led military coalition winds down its current mission against ISIS. The US and Iraq agreed on a phased transition from the coalition mission toward bilateral security relationships. The current phase is scheduled to conclude by the end of September 2026.

The package also includes ground support equipment, technical documentation, and training for Iraqi pilots and maintenance personnel.