Iraqis are buying American equipment

Strategy Page:

In the last year, Iraq has bought over $3 billion worth of U.S. weapons and military equipment. Those purchases are increasing. According to Iraqi officers, many of whom served during the 1991 and 2003 operations, their former Russian equipment was clearly inadequate compared to U.S. material. Moreover, Iraqi troops are now being trained to U.S. standards, and will be more effective if they use American equipment. Thus the Iraqis are switching from the simple, robust Russian AK-47, to the more accurate, but more difficult to maintain, M-16 family of small arms. But now the better trained Iraqi troops can make use of the more effective M-16 weapons.

... Iraqi uniforms are similar to American ones, and Iraqis even adopt any special flourishes they see U.S. troops using (the way equipment is worn, or new moves the troops are using.) The big orders will come when the Iraqis start looking for new tanks and warplanes. The only two suppliers of new tanks are the U.S. and Russia, and the Iraqis have had it with Russian stuff....

There may be some competition from European manufacturers. I think politics could effect the decision. If the Democrats begin to abandon the Iraqis, it is likely that they will look elsewhere for their big ticket items. I bet most people were not aware of Iraq's already $3 billion purchase.