Pentagon proposes $2.4 bln helicopter sale to Iraq

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon said on Thursday it was proposing to sell up to $2.4 billion (1.2 billion pounds) worth of helicopters, missiles, rockets and other equipment and services to the government of Iraq.

The principal contractors will be Boeing or Textron's Bell Helicopter unit, the Pentagon's Defence Security Cooperation Agency told Congress in a notice dated Wednesday but posted on its website on Thursday.

The Iraqi Air Force will use the equipment to create new squadrons and enhance security efforts, the Pentagon said.

In a wide-ranging request endorsed by the Pentagon, the Iraqi government sought 24 helicopters from either Bell or Boeing, 24 engines built by Rolls Royce, 1,230 mortars and 240 missiles.

It also requested 15,000 rockets along with 24 launchers, 24 machine guns and various ammunition.

The Iraqi Air Force would also need training services and other logistic support, said the Pentagon agency, which oversees foreign arms sales.

Lawmakers now have 30 days to block the possible sale, although such actions are rare.

Shares of Boeing closed down more than 4 percent at $61.11 while shares of Textron fell nearly 3 percent to close at $43.47, both on the New York Stock Exchange.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Tim Dobbyn, Gary Hill)