Commander-in-Chief vows to enhance air defense capabilities as part of the efforts to end the coalition mission in Iraq

Baghdad-INA

Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani, affirmed today, Saturday, the ongoing efforts to bolster air defense capabilities and monitor airspace as part of the phase to end the mission of the international coalition in Iraq.

In a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the Prime Minister's Media Office stated, "The Prime Minister, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammed Shi'a Al-Sudani, inaugurated the new Air Defense Command Operations Center."
 
It further added that "the Prime Minister received a detailed briefing on the center from the Air Defense Commander, highlighting the center's modernization with advanced radar detection systems. This effort is part of the Air Defense Command's ongoing initiative to enhance Iraq's airspace monitoring and security infrastructure.
 
The Prime Minister emphasized "the government's commitment to support and strengthen command and control capabilities over Iraqi airspace, ensuring protection from breaches and enhancing response capabilities."

Al-Sudani praised "the efforts of the commanders and officers who participated in the completion and operation of this center, which was established in cooperation with the French defense equipment company Thales, on the path of plans to develop the armament of our armed forces of various types, as the government has allocated nearly 5 trillion dinars for these goals, including 3 trillion in the 2024 budget, as part of the project to enhance armament capabilities."

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces explained that "the goal of maintaining Iraq's security and sovereignty over its land, airspace, and waters remains a key priority within the government's defense program and in addressing security challenges, especially post the end of the international coalition's mission.” 

He also highlighted ongoing efforts "to combat all forms of terrorist threats or breaches, enhance early warning and detection capabilities, particularly in low-level detection, and adapt to advancements in air defense technologies in neighboring countries and the region. This includes the development and deployment of specialized aircraft to address any potential breaches or aggression."