SMC: Agreement for 21 multi-purpose aircraft from the US

INA - BAGHDAD

The head of the Security Media Cell - SMC, Major General Tahseen Al-Khafaji, announced on Tuesday, a contract to purchase 21 multi-purpose and mission aircraft during the recent visit of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammed S. Al-Sudani, to Washington. 

"An agreement on a new and unprecedented mechanism for paying the amounts, as the American side had provided Iraq aid with 20 aircraft," said Al-Khafaji to the Iraqi News Agency - INA.

The recent visit of the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammad Shia al-Sudani, to Washington "was successful by all standards, including the military aspect, as Iraq contracted through this visit 12 Bell 412 Multi-purpose aircraft, as well as 9 Bell 407 aircraft, according to Al-Khafaji.

He added, "These contracts adopted a new payment method, as Iraq and the US had previously relied on the FMS mechanism, that is, paying the full amount, but during the PM's visit, Washington relied, for the first time in the field of armaments, on the (flexible payment) mechanism, that is, payment on a group form for aircraft amounts."

"The United States also provided aid to Iraq with 15 Bell 505 training aircraft and 5 Bell 412 aircraft. The aircraft are used by army aviation and are very important for supporting units and ground forces, as well as for reconnaissance. It will give great impetus and motivation to the Army Aviation Corps, while the Bell 505 aircraft will support the training system," he highlighted.

He pointed out that "Iraq needs multi-purpose aircraft that can meet the requirements of air defense, ground attack, reconnaissance, and response. In addition to that, it must be flexible for use with ground units. There are other aircraft that provide logistical support to advanced units."

"The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces is interested in developing the air defense system, the Air Force and the Army to achieve high capabilities in controlling the airspace," he included.