By John Lee.
The Iraqi Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with French company Airbus to purchase Caracal (H225M) helicopters.
While the Ministry did not specify the number of helicopters involved, AFP reports that 12 of the twin-engined aircraft will be bought.
According to the Ministry, the agreement, signed in the presence of Defense Minister Thabet Muhammad Saeed Al-Abbasi and the French Ambassador to Baghdad, marks a step in its efforts to strengthen the military.
Airbus describes the H225M Caracal as, "a heavy, modern and combat-proven platform able to perform the widest range of missions from special operations to combat search and rescue, tactical transport, medical evacuation as well as a large spectrum of maritime missions."
Update: A subsequent press release from Airbus confirmed that the contract is for 12 H225M multi-role helicoptersL "These helicopters will be operated by the Iraqi Army Aviation command replacing older Mi-17s for a wider range of missions: counter-terrorism, special operations, tactical troop transport, attack, ground fire support, MEDEVAC and combat search and rescue. Deliveries will start in 2025. Iraq already operates a fleet of Airbus helicopters from the H125, H135 and H145 families."
(Sources: Ministry of Defense, AFP)
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