Iraq seeks to develop its air capabilities

Baghdad-INA

Iraq plans to strengthen its defense capabilities in the airspace and land by moving to buy fighter jets, drones as well as tanks and cannons and acquire several defense systems from various sources.

In this regard, a senior security source told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "There are plans to increase the number of tanks and increase divisions and battalions in order to increase the capabilities of the Iraqi army," noting that the forces are currently using American Abrams tanks and Russian T-90 tanks.
 
"Iraq intends to send a high security delegation to Russia, France and Pakistan to buy advanced drones and tanks," he said.

"The Iraqi army is seeking several defense systems from different sources," Defense News quoted NAMEA Group's head of geopolitical consultancy Norman Ricklefs.
"Iraq is seeking French Rafale fighters, drones and artillery," Ricklefs said.
 
"France has offered to sell 20 drones and the Iraqi Ministry of Defense is currently conducting technical analyses," he said, adding that "an Iraqi delegation is scheduled to visit France in the near future to inspect the drones."
"Iraq is also in negotiations on Pakistani drones, with Pakistan also offering to sell 20 drones, but the Ministry of Defense is still considering this offer," he said.

"The Iraqi Air Force plans to buy 14 French Rafale fighter jets at a cost of $240 million, which will be paid with oil instead of cash," he said, adding that "the Air Force is approaching the purchase of a Super Mushak, a training aircraft."

The commander of the ground forces, Lt. Gen. Qassim al-Mohammadi, had earlier confirmed to the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that there are new contracts for the import of advanced drones and artillery from France, adding that “There are plans to increase teams and brigades in order to increase the capabilities of the Iraqi army.
 
He explained that "there are many contracts that include armed drones flying in Iraqi airspace for 30 hours and capable of addressing targets and continuous monitoring towards various regions, and they have proven their ability and effectiveness," noting that "there are excellent artillery that will be imported from France with high accuracy, in addition to high-precision weapons. Night binoculars and a lot of contracts, some of which reached the port and the other part is in factories to support the armed forces."

"There is a serious desire to develop Iraqi weapons, and there are projects that have been initiated until we can manufacture them ourselves," he said.