TEL AVIV, Israel, April 9 (UPI) -- Israel is monitoring Iraq's rearmament program, particularly Bahgdad's acquisition of 36 Lockheed Martin F-16s, with some disquiet amid intelligence reports Iran is consolidating its influence in Iraq following the U.S. military withdrawal.
Baghdad ordered the F-16 Block 52 multi-role Fighting Falcon jets -- enough to equip the Iraqi air force's first two fighter squadrons -- in two 18-plane batches in 2011 at an estimated total cost of $7 billion.
Israel didn't publicly question the sales, part of an $85 billion rearmament plan for oil-rich Iraq, when they were announced. Read More
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