WASHINGTON - The Iraqi government is considering a multimillion-dollar purchase of Lockheed Martin F-16s as it moves toward strengthening its military and rebuilding its anemic air force to prepare for an eventual withdrawal of U.S. forces.

Air Force Lt. Col. Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesman, said Friday that the Iraqi government has asked the Defense Department for information on the pricing and availability of 36 F-16s "to enhance Iraqi security forces' future defense capabilities."

The sale would require approval by the Pentagon, Congress and the State Department and could face resistance from lawmakers concerned about turning over sophisticated U.S. military technology to the Iraqi government.

Ryder said the Pentagon received the request Aug. 27. He cautioned that foreign governments sometimes require preliminary information on pricing and availability for planning purposes and don't always follow through with a purchase.

A U.S-Iraqi deal would be a boost to Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth, Texas, plant, which has built thousands of F-16 Fighting Falcons since 1976.

The single-engine warplane, which sells for about $50 million, is a highly maneuverable fighter that would enable Iraq to provide air support for its still-emerging ground forces.

Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, whose congressional district includes the Lockheed Martin plant, said the request signals the Iraqi government's intent to take responsibility for its security to hasten the timetable for phasing out the U.S. military presence.

"We keep saying that the Iraqis have to take care of their own security," Granger said. "If the request is approved, then it would help move them toward providing their own security."

Granger, who has made three trips to Iraq, said its air force "is very, very weak" because of lack of resources. But with Iraq's expanding oil wealth, the government is increasingly capable of buying Western military technology and has made plans to purchase U.S. helicopters, tanks, armored vehicles and other weapon systems.

Under dictator Saddam Hussein, Iraq once had a formidable air force composed mostly of Soviet aircraft. But the force was largely demolished in the 1991 Persian Gulf War and offered no resistance to U.S. air power during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The U.S. Air Force has been helping Iraqis reconstruct an air force, but the missions have focused primarily on transport and other noncombat functions. Equipping Iraqis with F-16s would require extensive training to turn out pilots and maintenance crews.

Ryder said the U.S. Defense and State departments "are working closely with Iraq to ensure its military planning is integrated and provides the capabilities Iraq needs to defend itself." The United States also wants to ensure that Iraq can be "a contributor to enhanced security and stability in the region," he said.

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