Pentagon seeks Congressional approval on quick $750 million arms 'sale' to Iraq

Besides its use as a troop transport, the Russian-built MI-17, which Iraq is seeking to purchase, can also be very heavily armed with an extensive array or rockets, missiles and guns. It is often used to air assault infantry forces to attack the point of penetration, reinforce units in contact or disrupt counterattacks. Additional missions include; attack, direct air support, electronic warfare, airborne early warning, medevac, search and rescue, and minelaying.

WASHINGTON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - The Pentagon notified U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday about the possible sale to Iraq of up to $500 million in helicopters, weapons and vehicles and up to $250 million in logistics support for those systems.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees foreign arms sales, said if completed the sales would help improve the security of Iraq, "offering hope for a more stable and peaceful Middle East."

It said the modernization plan would help give the Iraqi military more capable equipment, including helicopters to rapidly move troops into position and evacuate casualties.

On Monday, Iraq said it would take over security control of a second of its 18 provinces this week in the relatively calm British and Italian-patrolled South.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has said he hopes to receive the security portfolio for most of Iraq's provinces by the end of this year.

The United States and Britain hope to reduce the size of the over-stretched foreign presence as Iraq's 300,000-strong security forces assume a leading role in battling a Sunni insurgency and quelling communal violence.

Congress has 30 days to block the proposed weapons sale, although such actions are rare.

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