UAE Offers Mirage Fighters to Iraq

By John Lee.

Defense News cites a source within the government of the United Arab Emirates as saying that the UAE may sell up to 10 Mirage 2000-9s fighter jets to the Iraqi Air Force in March.

The decision comes following a visit by the Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, to Abu Dhabi in December.

"The UAE is trying to fortify Iraq's security from north to south, specifically the areas from Baghdad to Erbil," the source said. "Mainly, Erbil because many UAE strategic interests are there with regards to oil and gas investments as well as others."

The source added that light Russian-made special operations forces tactical weapons will also be provided to the Iraqi Army, with details to be finalised during a further visit by Al-Abadi in March.

(Source: Defense News)