Iraq places $1.5 billion military order

An up-armored Humvee

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- The Iraqi government has placed a $1.5 billion order with the United States for additional military equipment.

They are buying an additional 300 armored personnel carriers, 600 additional up-armored Humvees, several UH-2 advanced helicopters. They will also buy more armored wheeled vehicles for moving troops, U.S. military spokesman Maj. Gen. William Caldwell said in Baghdad Wednesday.

This is in addition to the Iraq's growing arsenal. The Iraqi air force has Russian-built 10 MI-17 helicopters, which can each carry up to 30 troops or 20 wounded, as well as outsized cargo. It can also be armed with missiles and bombs.

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