By John Lee. Iraq has received the first batch of fighter jets from Russia to help it repel the offensive by Sunni rebels. The defence ministry said five Sukhoi SU-25 attack aircraft would enter service in "three to four days". Prime minister Nouri al-Maliki told the BBC last week that his government had signed a […]
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress on Thursday of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq for AGM-114K/R Hellfire Missiles and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $82 million. The Government of Iraq has requested a possible sale of 500 AGM-114K/R Hellfire missiles, Hellfire missile conversion, blast fragmentation […]
By John Lee. World Tribune reports that Iraq has received its first shipment of Russian Mi-35 attack helicopters. Part of a $4.3-billion deal with the Kremlin, the helicopters are regarded as some of the most advanced in the Russian military. “Iraq expects to see a consignment of around 40 Mi-35 and Mi-28NE attack helicopters by the […]
By John Lee. Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari will meet with Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday; the Daily Beast speculates that among his top requests will be for the White House to overcome objections in Congress to selling his country advanced Apache helicopters the Iraqis say they need to fight terrorists within their borders. […]
By John Lee. The government of Iraq wants to purchase nearly $2-billion worth military equipment from the United States. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified the US Congress of the following intended deals: 50 M1135 Stryker Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicles (pictured) and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated […]
By John Lee. Modhir al-Janabi, a member of the parliament Security and Defense Committee, has said the lifting of UN Chapter VII sanctions on Iraq provides an opportunity to restore the country's ability to manufacture weapons. He told AIN: "After being relieved from the UN sanctions, Iraq can renew this industry to manufacture weapons which […]
By John Lee. UPI reports that Russia has started fulfilling a contract to send attack helicopters and short-range air defense systems to Iraq. Sergei Chemezov (pictured), Chief Executive Officer of Russian Technologies (Rostec), was quoted by state news agency RIA Novosti as saying: "The contract is being implemented, the production (of ordered equipment) has started." […]
By John Lee. According to a report from Bloomberg, Iraq’s military wants to buy as many as 30 General Dynamics Stryker eight-wheeled combat vehicles. The $25-million deal would be the first international sale of the vehicles, which were developed for the US Army. If accepted by the Iraqi government, the proposal would be submitted to […]
By John Lee. Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh (pictured) has announced that the country is to renegotiate the recent $4.2-billion weapons deal with Russia: "It will renegotiate with Russia to put an end to suspicions of corruption in the weapons deal", he said. The turnaround follows the ouster of Russia's defense minister earlier this week, […]
By John Lee. Iraq's acting defense minister, Sadoun al-Dulaimi, has said that the government has inked a new $3-billion contract with the US to buy another 18 F-16 fighter, according to MENA. The minister said that the new purchase is part of an agreement to buy a total of 36 fighters from the US. He […]
By John Lee. Iraq has agreed to buy 28 Czech-made Aero Vodochody L-159 advanced trainer/light-attack jets valued at $1 billion dollars (770 billions euros), a Czech defence ministry announced on Friday. Agreement to buy the 24 new planes and four older army surplus aircraft was reached at the end of a two-day visit to Prague by […]
By John Lee. Russia has agreed to sell up to $5bn worth of arms to Iraq. Are the motives behind the deal purely financial, and does it impact the delicate balance of power in the region? Guests: Sabah al-Mukhtar, Jorge Benitez, Dmitry Babich: (Source: Al Jazeera)
