On December 31, 2011 the United States will reach their withdrawal deadline and with that date looming officials in Iraq are now asking the U.S. to sell them 36 F-16 fighter jets so they can protect themselves.
The sale would mean billions of dollars in revenue for the United States and could help cement ties between the two countries during a transition period while keeping Iran in check. Earlier in the year Baghdad attempted to buy 18 of the jets at a cost of $4.2 billion but delayed their plans because of unrest due to the Arab Spring.
Talks have recently resumed thanks to $10 billion in oil revenue which was generated due to price surges. If the sale is finalized the price point reached will include Iraqi pilot training before the planes are delivered.
Iraq officials are also looking to arm themselves with U.S. built ground-to-air missiles and large guns.
