JOC: Future plans for the development of Iraqi Air Force

The Joint Operations Command confirmed, today, Friday, that the Air Force has future plans to develop the Air Force in Iraq, while revealing the percentages of the stages of completion at Al-Suwaira Air Base.

The spokesman for the joint operations, Major General Tahsin al-Khafaji, said in a statement to Al-Iraqiya News, followed by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "the Air Force possesses advanced aircraft that are present in most developed countries, in addition to the presence of advanced transport and training aircraft as well.".

He added, "Owning an aviation fleet depends on the factor of allocating money, considering that the Air Force is one of the most expensive weapons in all the armies of the world," noting that "it is not easy to build weapons over a short period, but rather it requires a period of time with high financial allocations.".

He pointed out that "the Air Force has plans for the future by owning more advanced aircraft that are comparable to those in the region.".

Regarding the Suwaira air base, Al-Khafaji confirmed that "the base will be a college for the Air Force," explaining that "the percentage of work completion at the base has reached advanced stages by 75%, and the base will be the only place to prepare pilots, engineers and technicians to contribute to the development of the Iraqi Air Force."