March 27, 2009: Iraq has purchased 24 EC635 military helicopters from France. This is a 2.9 ton helicopter that can carry 1.4 tons (one pilot and up to seven passengers.) Cruising speed is 261 kilometers an hour, and max air time per sortie is about 4.5 hours. The twin engine EC635 is a militarized version of the EC135. The two side pylons can carry about 300 pounds of weapons each. Thus the EC635 can carry four Hellfire missiles, or six HOT ATGM, or two 20mm autocannon (with 180 rounds each). A 7.62mm machine-gun can also be mounted in the side door. Iraq is paying about $20.5 million for each EC635. This is the first French military sale to Iraq since 1990.