The US State Department has approved a proposed $800 million Foreign Military Sale of Bell 412EPX and Bell 407M helicopters to Iraq, according to the State Department announcement.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the proposed transaction on August 31, 2026. The package includes armed helicopters, weapons, sensors, communications equipment, spare parts, training, and logistical support. Bell Textron will serve as the principal contractor.
The package comprises GAU-19 three-barrel machine guns and M260 seven-tube launchers for 2.75-inch rockets, along with L3Harris WESCAM MX-15HDI electro-optical and infrared sensor systems. Also included are AN/AAR-60 Block 2 missile warning systems, VHF radios, and ground support equipment.
The DSCA did not specify the number of Bell 412EPX or 407M helicopters that Iraq would receive under the proposed sale. The twin-engine Bell 412EPX is designed for utility and transport missions, while the smaller 407M is a military version of the Bell 407 configured for armed reconnaissance and light attack.
According to the State Department, the sale would improve Iraq's capability for rotary-wing transport, reconnaissance, and air-to-surface targeting missions. It is also part of Iraq's longer-term effort to replace Russian-built helicopters that are increasingly hard to maintain.
The $800 million figure represents the estimated maximum value of the proposed package, not the final contract price, and the value and equipment can change during negotiations. Earlier proposed Iraqi modernization plans to acquire Bell 412-family helicopters and Bell 407Ms are separate from this sale, which does not specify aircraft numbers.
The proposed sale comes as Iraq continues taking greater responsibility for its own security while the US-led coalition winds down operations against ISIS in the country. The US and Iraq have agreed on a phased transition toward bilateral security relationships, with the current phase scheduled to conclude by the end of September 2026.
