Sticker Shock: Iraqi F-16s $165 Million Each

[Zabaniyah]

Damn, those evil Yanks

 

[Evil Flare]

with a war torn country like Iraq they need to spend on infrastructure & forget about defense for the moment

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

flyaway cost of the F-22 Raptor is about $150-$160 million

assuming these are a similar block F-16 which Pakistan acquired, then hypothetically speaking, this would be a price-discrimination violation --as defined by the WTO; though i don't know if this applies to foreign military sales

Libya is not a member-state nevertheless so i guess it works out (in US favour)

 

[gambit]

If the Americans cared about the Iraqis they would have made their Foxbats airworthy again

The Foxbats put up a good fight against the American jets as worthy oppenents

Please...The MIG-25 was a typical one-trick pony.

---------- Post added at 02:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:04 PM ----------

So who is forcing the Iraqis to buy these F-16s? Keep in mind that the current Iraqi government decided to honor Saddam's oil promises to China and others.

 

[Imran Khan]

loot maar damn they are bloody cheaters .

 

[untitled]

Please...The MIG-25 was a typical one-trick pony

The one trick pony did its one trick it was designed to do unlike the FB-111 which was designed as a fighter but ended up as bomber with an "F" in its name

 

[BelligerentPacifist]

Return to reason for a moment. When Pakistan bought those 18 block52s we paid 83 mil dollars apiece. That's just half of what Iraq is paying now. We were already a sixteen operator and had the infrastructure in place. Consider the plummeted value of the dollar and how it stacks up against itself as it was in 2005. Consider too the 'accessories' they're buying along with the plane. Our contract was for 3 billion for 18 planes too but it included AAMRAAMs, JDAMS and spares etc. The deal is not inordinately expensive when it works to only somewhat more than a similar contractual example.

 

[Mo12]

Better include any technology transfer.

 

[baqai]

that video pretty much nails it, I would had sworn it was not from a movie but from current events.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

Return to reason for a moment. When Pakistan bought those 18 block52s we paid 83 mil dollars apiece. That's just half of what Iraq is paying now. We were already a sixteen operator and had the infrastructure in place. Consider the plummeted value of the dollar and how it stacks up against itself as it was in 2005. Consider too the 'accessories' they're buying along with the plane. Our contract was for 3 billion for 18 planes too but it included AAMRAAMs, JDAMS and spares etc. The deal is not inordinately expensive when it works to only somewhat more than a similar contractual example.

Pakistan was a "major non-NATO ally" while Libya is sitting on some sweet crude

 

[Frank Martin]

Better include any technology transfer.

Are you serious bro?? What is the use of tech transfer to Iraqis? Do u believe that US gonna give tech transfer to Iraq??

 

[Mosamania]

Are you serious bro?? What is the use of tech transfer to Iraqis? Do u believe that US gonna give tech transfer to Iraq??

The US just found itself another oil rich Arab country to exploit once they lost their primary care giver (Yes it was us) The US put more downgraded F-15s on the table....We went with this:

And only after they agreed of this:
"In December 2005, the Saudi Arabian and UK Governments announced the signing of an Understanding Document that aimed to establish a greater partnership in modernising the Saudi Armed Forces. This paved the way for the acquisition of 72 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, and the transfer of technology, investment and training, confirmed on 17 September 2007."

Eurofighter:  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The US was so pissed off at the deal they started digging dirt about a deal we made in the 80s (When we were their best allies under he who shall not be named) in hopes to stop the deal lol.

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

What a rip-off price.

 

[luckyyy]

not every one can reject a US fighter jet...

 

[Zabaniyah]

Please...The MIG-25 was a typical one-trick pony.

But hey! At least one Foxbat did shoot down a Hornet

I agree though, those Foxbats are too old and degraded due to years of Saddam-era sanctions and neglect. They simply aren't worth it.

So who is forcing the Iraqis to buy these F-16s? Keep in mind that the current Iraqi government decided to honor Saddam's oil promises to China and others.

I don't know, but don't you think the $165 million/F-16 is kinda inflated? Note, the F-16s the Iraqis would get are of blk 52 standard. Nothing too special about them.
Iraq F-16 Deal Welcome Boost for Lockheed - Defense News

One influential and well traveled banker once told me that that the USA do force the Arabs to buy their equipment to some extent. The arms manufacturing sector is one of the few viable export oriented industries in the US now. The Middle East is a huge market for American weapons. Would this apply to the Iraqis as well?

Hell, even the standard issue rifle for the ANA is the M-16. Why go for M-16 if the AK-47 is already a capable rifle? Sure there maybe advantages, but it is a waste of money, better if it was spent elsewhere. The question is: were the Afghans 'insisted' to buy those M-16s?
US to Equip Afghan Army with M-16s

Regarding the Iraqi F-16 deal, I think it was perhaps partly due to lack of competition during the tender. During the tender in Korea, even the F-35 was offered for $120 million according to government sources
http://www.defence.pk/forums/military-forum/121130-russia-seeks-sell-stealth-jets-korea-13.html

That's because of the competition.