Iraq on $3 billion weapons buying binge

The Examiner ^ | March 19 2007 | Rowan Scarborough

[jmc1969]

The Iraqi Army which is the only decient Iraqi fighting force numbers about 134,000. The number has been constant for the past 7 months because the Iraqi Army reached the number the Pentagon planned for them in late 2006.

[jmc1969]

When the supplimental gets past the Army will start growing again.

[nepppen]

The money is from Iraqi oil money.

[nepppen]

America spent a fortune rebuilding Europe after WW2. It's kind of nice having a democratic European ally isn't it? America spent a fortune rebuilding Japan after WW2. It's kind of nice having a democratic Japan next to China isn't it?

[Obie Wan]

We've got what? A democratic European ally,is that what they are? We have a disagreement on that one.As for Japan being next to China so what? you think they're like covering our flank? Actually they're just another country we have to worry about protecting. But your right about one thing,we certainly poured a lot of money into those places,however I don't think it appreciated much !!!

[jordan8]

15 weeks will be closer to the mark.

The M-16 is a good rifle but can't see why they would want to switch.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

Missing are any of the U.S's most sophisticated weapon systems, such as the 60-ton M1 Abrams tank or Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Iraq's defense ministry lacks the money and expertise to maintain high-tech components, so for now soldiers will rely on old Soviet-era tanks.
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And no artillery,,,nothing that will hurt US...
M-16's won't last that bunch passed the first sandstorm,,,
The US has/will have the parts/ammo they require(Facts).

Bottom Line : We ain't goin' nowhere !...;0)

[Marine_Uncle]

"In 4-6 years they could be pumping more oil then Saudi Arabia."
And forgive me all, but I have been harping on this issue for some two plus years. There is so much at stake with Iraq. Regional stability, long term operations development regarding the GWOT, commerce, a mid east that will stay firmly united against Iran, and of course huge amounts of oil and gas reserves that can help stabilize the price of oil for a long time. Obviously the morons on the hill and many in the background groups will not allow the US to become oil/gas independent, so we must arrange for the continued importing of oil/gas, and refinery products from other countries. We need a stable Iraq for this to continue to happen over a long period of time.

[jmc1969]

The US inticed them to spend close to a billion on our M-16s.

Go figure.

[JasonC]

You are crazy, we made it back 100 fold through trade alone. Let alone the security gains, or the human and cultural ones.

Skinflint isn't economy, economy is saving on what does not matter in order to have as much as wanted of what matters most.

[jmc1969]

Bottom line the US public wants us to leave so within 2 years we are going to leave.

No amount of progress on the ground can stop the MSM from cheering any attack whatsoever in Iraq.

If we don't help set up an Iraqi military that is able to defend the country by then the country will fall to Iran.

[Obie Wan]

Your talking about yesterday,I'm talking about now.The dynamics have changed so don't waste my time with your foolish prattle.Our trade deficit is measured in billions and our security is based our own power period !!!

[RobbyS]

What we did in Korea.

[RobbyS]

Com' on! We spend that much a year on federal aid to education which, as a firmer teacher, I can tell you is money down a rathole.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

True Dat,,,Just like 1975...again...But,,,VN didn't have
all that "AWL" production potential that iraq does...
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ will be on their minds first...;0)

[Obie Wan]

Actually the thread is about what Iraq is spending on weapons,I just pointed out if they've got 10 billion just laying around maybe they can build their own libraries,schools and hospitals that's all !!!

[Almondjoy]

What kind of question is that? Of course it's at least partially from us... here in the form of real money or blood.

The point is we are spending about 30 times that a year over there. Let's arm them.. give them the skills they need so that we can move on.

I pray to God that we can start taking the fight to the Syrians and Iranians so that they can get their hands out of Iraq.

[RobbyS]

Is not the name of the game security first? No point in building a library if some gang comes along to burn it.

[A. Pole]

Question: The AK-47 has a reputation as being a very resilient to harsh environments with little upkeep. Will the AK-47 hold up better in sandy desert environments than out M-16? Will your average Iraqi Army soldier put in the gun maintenance needed to keep the M-16 firing cleanly?

Since these weapons will end up in the hands of insurgents it will lower the level of violence :)

[tcostell]

There is no doubt about it, the AK is as reliable as can be, and has plenty of punch but it's not without it's limitations. It's heavy compared to an AR, it's comparatively inaccurate especially at longer ranges, and it's a one size fits all sort of small arms solution.

The AR is highly configurable for special purposes including a squad level sniper version, and weighs considerably less. It's stunningly accurate, especially compared to an AK. Also the smaller bullet, while not uncontroversial, will allow more rounds to be carried in the field. Also, it's early reputation for being prone to failure is IMHO, overstated. In the 30 some years since Vietnam it has proven itself a highly reliable and dependable rifle.

In my experience, people complain not about the AR rifle, but about the smaller 5.56 nato round. The AR rifle itself is a first rate design, while most AK's look like they were made by me using hand tools in my garage.