PFC, Army Chief of Staff Discuss Development of Defense and Air Equipment

Baghdad - INA

The Parliamentary Finance Committee discussed, on Wednesday, the ministry's investment and operational budget, and ways to achieve optimal investment and spending of these allocations, stressing the importance of the Ministry of Defense's commitment to contracting with the Military Industrialization Authority to meet its needs for local products in support of the national economy, while the Chief of Staff of the Army announced the Commander-in-Chief's directive to equip the army with an advanced air defense system, in preparation for the withdrawal of the international coalition forces.

The committee said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The Parliamentary Finance Committee, headed by Atwan Al-Atwani, hosted the Chief of Staff of the Army, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Yarallah, and the senior staff of the Ministry of Defense; to discuss the investment and operational budget of the ministry and ways to achieve optimal investment and spending of these allocations." 

The statement added, "The meeting discussed a number of important files related to arming the army and the problem of contracts," and the head of the committee stressed - according to the statement - "the importance of the Ministry of Defense's commitment to contracting with the Military Industrialization Authority to meet its needs for local products in support of the national economy." 

He continued, "The meeting also discussed the ministry's preparations and priorities for equipping the army with advanced weapons and strengthening the air defense fleet with advanced aircraft and equipment, within the framework of Iraq's readiness to receive the entire security file from the international coalition forces."

Al-Atwani stressed, according to the statement, that "the Finance Committee attaches great importance to the Ministry of Defense, as it has allocated large funds in the budget to it, enabling the army to carry out its assigned tasks, most notably preserving sovereignty and defending the homeland," stressing "the need to diversify sources of armament so that it conforms to specifications and is from international sources, and keeps pace with global technological development," calling for "focusing on developing our air defenses to be able to confront any potential external attacks." 

The statement added that "the Chief of Staff of the Army reviewed development plans and programs, combat and armament capabilities, and concluded contracts, highlighting the most prominent obstacles facing the armament file, including contracts and FMS agreements."
Yarallah pointed out that "the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces directed the army to be equipped with an advanced air defense system, in preparation for the withdrawal of the international coalition forces," noting that "the Prime Minister will soon announce the end of the mission of foreign forces in the country." 

The Chief of Staff of the Army confirmed that "the ministry has opened up a lot to the Military Industrialization Authority, and has signed contracts to purchase light and medium weapons, ammunition, and thermal cameras from the Authority."