Iraq has agreed to buy 18 Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft in a deal worth about USD3 billion, US government and industry officials said on 27 September. "The aircraft will help provide air sovereignty for Iraq to protect its own territory and to deter or counter regional threats," said Pentagon Press Secretary George Little. Laura Siebert, a Lockheed Martin spokeswoman, confirmed that the two governments had agreed on the sale of advanced exportmodel Block 52 F-16s. The sale is expected to extend the production line at the company's Fort Worth, Texas, factory into 2015. Oman has also inquired about the possible procurement of 12 F-16 Block 50/52s, adding potential for up to another two years of work at the factory.
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