US to sell $2 billion worth of advanced munitions to Iraq

The US plans to sell Iraq over 16,000 laser-guided bombs as well as sidewinder missiles and advanced targeting systems for Iraq's F-16 fighters in a deal worth $2 billion, the Pentagon said Wednesday. The munitions are to boost the firepower of the F-16s that Iraq started using in September for the US-led coalition's war against ISIS.
"Iraq requires these additional weapons, munitions, and technical services to maintain the operational capabilities of its aircraft," the Pentagon said in a statement, adding that the proposed sale would "effectively protect Iraq from current and future threats."