NATO says it's considering Iraqi tank request, but Iraq says done deal

Above: Iraqi T-72 tanks. One of the Iraqi Army's ten divisions is a mechanized infantry unit: the 9th Mechanized Division, based at Taji near Baghdad. The refurbished T-72 tanks were donated by former Warsaw Pact nations. The 3rd Brigade is still forming, with T-55s and BMP infantry vehicles. Plans are that the division will be fully outfitted with T-72s and comparable Soviet equipment, with an eventual force of about 9,000 men.

NATO is considering a request to supply Iraq with 70 Russian-made T72 tanks, an official said on Friday, while Iraqi state television said an offer for 120 T72 tanks was already on the table.

A public information officer for the NATO training and equipment mission in Iraq said no decision had yet been taken.

“That request has been sent to the (NATO member) nations,” said Herdis Sigurgrimsdottir of the NATO mission.

"Now we are awaiting their response. No offer has been finalised."

State-owned Iraqiya television said that the offer was made during a recent meeting in Rome between Iraqi Defence Minister Abdel Qader Jassim and senior NATO officials.

A Iraqi defence ministry source who spoke on the condition of anonymity also said that NATO had made the tank offer, but could give no further details.

Read the rest at the Australian

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