On Thursday, February 5, 2026, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced that the United States Department of State had approved a potential sale to the Republic of Iraq of a logistics support package for VACIS XPL X-ray systems valued at up to 90 million USD.
Photo: Leidos Inc.
According to the published information, the government in Baghdad requested the option to expand on-demand logistics services, including 24/7 technical support for two years to sustain the Ministry of Interior’s VACIS XPL systems, preventive and corrective maintenance, spare and repair parts, software updates, remote monitoring, U.S. government and contractor (Leidos Inc.) engineering, technical, and logistics support services, as well as other related elements of logistics and program support.
As further stated, the proposed sale will enhance the Iraqi Ministry of Interior’s ability to address current and future threats by enabling border guards to detect the flow of weapons; chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) materials; narcotics; and other forms of smuggling across external borders.
The VACIS XPL Passenger Vehicle Scanning System is an advanced X-ray system manufactured by Leidos (formerly known as SAIC). It is used for non-intrusive inspection of passenger cars, vans, and other light vehicles (including occupants inside) at checkpoints, border crossings, entrances to military facilities, ports, and airports.
According to the manufacturer, the system scans an entire vehicle from bumper to bumper in seconds, allowing cars to pass through without stopping (free-flow / non-stop mode), and uses a low radiation dose that is safe for people and compliant with ANSI standards. Thanks to dual-energy X-ray technology, it produces detailed images, with color coding to highlight organic materials (such as narcotics, explosives, and biological agents). The system is highly effective in detecting firearms, explosive devices, drugs, smuggled goods, and other threats. It can scan more than 150 vehicles per hour. It is also equipped with an Easy Match function, which automatically compares the current scan with previous scans of the same vehicle and highlights differences or newly introduced objects.
The Iraqi Ministry of Interior used an earlier version of the VACIS system with a cobalt-60 isotope between 2007 and 2009. These were most likely delivered under post-2003 reconstruction and security assistance programs, funded either by Iraqi resources or U.S. aid.
In 2015, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued an export license to Leidos for VACIS systems, stipulating that Iraq may not retransfer them without U.S. approval.