Iraq to receive heavy recovery vehicles

YORK, Pa., Oct. 8 (UPI) -- BAE Systems has received a U.S. Foreign Military Sales contract to build heavy equipment recovery vehicles for the Iraqi army.

The award for eight M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift Evacuation Systems, which can haul 70-ton combat vehicles, is worth$31.8 million.

The M88A2 Hercules features improved power-assisted braking to enable the recovery vehicle to tow an M1A1 tank; increased horsepower; an improved electrical system and an enhanced hydraulic system.

"BAE Systems is answering the need for a cost-effective, self-supporting, heavy recovery performance vehicle," said Mark Signorelli, vice president and general manager of Vehicle Systems at BAE Systems.

"Hercules will provide the Iraqi military with a recovery vehicle that has been tested and proven to tow and hoist today's heaviest combat vehicles."

Work on the contract will be performed at BAE's facilities in York, Pa., and Aiken, S.C. It is expected to begin in late 2013 and be completed in the middle of the following year.

Eight M88A2s were produced for the Iraqi army by BAE Systems in 2010.



http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Sec...9461349725911/

Serbia Artilery System
Iraq has ordered an additional 8 M88 armored recovery vehicles for the Iraqi Army through US FMS. This is the prime recovery vehicle for M1A1 [and similar western] tanks and is usually fielded at 2 per IA Tank Regiment [35 tanks]. While the IA has not reported to have exercised its option to buy 140 more M1A1s and has not been reported to buy any similar tanks [Korean K1?], this indicates a new tank buy is in the works.

Also mentioned in Al Sumeria news is a delivery of “artillery” from Serbia in the next 2 months. This is likely to be 120mm mortars but, could include Plamen Multiple Rocket Launchers that have been rumored to have been bought by Iraq for the last 2 years.

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