Iraq bought a bunch of havocs

[Brooke]

Why is there a Rubics Cube mounted on that kiowa?

Also, why are bicycles strapped to the front of two of the tanks? 

[bozon]

Well what exactly is the threat level for Egypt and how much can they afford? We have been floating the place to the tune of Billions in years past. Do they really need Yank weapons and can they afford them? We've never really "sold" them anything. If they want to buy Russian we should thank them.

This is not about economy (though you are wrong about what this means to US industry). This is about the sphere of influence - in case you have not noticed, the cold war is making a comeback. If the US chooses not to play the part of the super-power anymore it has the full right to do so, but I am not sure that most Americans consider the consequences.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Also, why are bicycles strapped to the front of two of the tanks? 

Desert can be a long walk when your tank blows up.

[GScholz]

The Iraqis are familiar with Russian equipment, and the Russians could deliver now. If they had ordered AH-64's when could Boeing have delivered them? The Iraqis need them now, not two years from now.

[Scherf]

^ Cue the F-35!

 

[GScholz]

What? 

[Slash27]

its a scout chopper light and fast

i just thought that was a great picture.  chopper looks battle-worn

The sand makes the fluid leaks easy to spot.

[DaveBB]

The Iraqis are familiar with Russian equipment, and the Russians could deliver now. If they had ordered AH-64's when could Boeing have delivered them? The Iraqis need them now, not two years from now.

The AH-64 is notoriously difficult to learn to fly.  It also requires a high level of weapons calibrations.  Even the British had a hard time maintaining and calibrating their Apaches in Afghanistan.  So this would obviously not be a good choice for the Iraqis. 

[Flench]

Are those really bic's on the front of those tanks ? Look like Iraq would or could just hire some pilot's for the chopper's .

[Masherbrum]

The AH-64 is notoriously difficult to learn to fly.  It also requires a high level of weapons calibrations.  Even the British had a hard time maintaining and calibrating their Apaches in Afghanistan.  So this would obviously not be a good choice for the Iraqis. 

But Nicholas Cage flew it with ease..........

[GScholz]

Are those really bic's on the front of those tanks ? Look like Iraq would or could just hire some pilot's for the chopper's .

No. They look like stowed mine rollers or some other engineering gear.

[eagl]

Nothing wrong with selling them hellfires...  We make them and will make a bit of profit, and the Iraqis have oil so they can afford it.  They're only about $150,000 each...

What they can't afford is to wait for our military sales procedures which can take 2-3 years just to sell a mil-spec flashlight.  To heck with contracts and laws, they have cash and they'll give it to whoever can deliver easy to use hardware tomorrow.  Turns out the US has to many laws and lawyers and politicians for us to compete for business in a country that actually NEEDS military hardware.  Too bad, we could have used the money.

[ozrocker]

No. They look like stowed mine rollers or some other engineering gear.

Looks like rolls of Concertina wire, common for vehicles for setting up
Defensive Perimeter (lager).



                                                                                                                                            Oz



                                                                                                               

[DaveBB]

Imo, the Iraqis need to focus on the actual ground war.  Equip their soldiers with body armor, NVGs, better radios, mine resistant vehicles, and tanks.  I think the Merkava would be the best choice.  I don't think there is enough time to train a helicopter cadre.

[10thmd]

That is concertina wire and that is the back of those tanks. Also they probably would not have to train completely from scratch on Helo pilots.... Most of their planes and helos where destroyed on the ground when we went in. I would bet most of their pilots survived the initial invasion and can still fly.