Tishwash: In preparation for the American withdrawal.. Iraq allocates billions to secure its airspace and develop its weapons capabilities
Iraq is seeking to build its military system by purchasing new weapons from several countries, including European and Asian countries, as well as Russia, especially in the field of air defense and radars, while specialists indicate that the number of combat aircraft is insufficient to secure the airspace and carry out strikes against hostile targets, especially since the country It owns large areas of desert.
Iraq began sending technical and military committees to several countries to contract for the purchase of anti-aircraft weapons, which indicates a desire to complete the construction of its air system to enhance the security of its skies and prepare for a future American withdrawal, as Iraq currently possesses 95 combat aircraft of American, Russian, South Korean and Czech origins.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani announced the allocation of five trillion dinars ($3.826 billion), including three trillion ($2.295 billion) in the current year’s budget to enhance weapons capabilities and develop the armament of Iraqi forces of all types.
Although Iraq has a number of combat aircraft fleets, it is still considering purchasing new aircraft, especially the French “Rafale” aircraft, as it seems that Iraq is interested in developing its air capabilities and strengthening its military relations with the French side through signing a contract with the “Thales” company. France in July 2022 to provide it with advanced “long-range” GM400 radars as part of a federal government effort to strengthen Iraq’s air sovereignty, a number of which were installed in parts of Iraq.
Iraq seeks to strengthen this relationship with new arms contracts, including the purchase of advanced Rafale aircraft to enhance its military capabilities and impose its sovereignty.
Iraq currently has 95 combat aircraft of American, Russian, South Korean and Czech origin, all of which were contracted by the country after 2003. However, according to specialists, this number is insufficient to secure Iraqi airspace and carry out strikes against hostile targets, especially since the country owns large areas of desert.
Technical and military committees
According to a statement by the spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Major General Yahya Rasool, last March, Iraq is determined to complete the radar system in general, while announcing the sending of technical and military committees to several countries to contract for the purchase of anti-aircraft weapons, which indicates Iraq’s desire to complete the construction of its system.
Air Force forces to enhance the security of its skies and prepare for a future American withdrawal. However, experts in the security and military field believe that the needs of the security forces are vast and require huge sums of money, and that the amounts allocated are not sufficient.
Rafale aircraft
Security and strategic specialist Maan Al-Jubouri explains that the budget set by the Iraqi government is insufficient and does not meet Iraq’s military needs, while he stressed the need to pay attention to purchasing French “Rafale” aircraft.
Al-Jubouri said, “Iraq’s need is very great, especially with regard to air defenses, as it is not possible to control and protect the skies of any country without having high capabilities for air defenses that remove the danger of attacks on the country,” noting that air defenses are concerned with protecting land and aircraft.
The military that carries out its military tasks, whether fighting terrorism or defending borders. He stressed the need for Iraq to have a capable air defense that includes a surface-to-air missile system and a radar system, which will therefore form a strategic cover for Iraqi territory, stressing the need for Iraq to acquire large, modern radars that cover a wide geographical area of Iraqi skies, thus monitoring any movement from any region inside Iraq. .
Radars and drones
He pointed out the importance of radars to completely cover Iraqi space in all aspects, and to prevent any breach that the enemy might exploit, and this is one of the important foundations. He called for bringing drones and advanced technological equipment such as night goggles, surveillance towers, and thermal cameras, as well as electronic devices, and these are the priorities of any force. Military.
He called for contracting modern aircraft such as the Rafale, considering that it is a capable aircraft with very high specifications, and therefore we can invest in its potential, explaining that concluding such a deal will strengthen the Iraqi air force and the operations carried out by the armed forces, especially since Iraq has pilots.
They have high experience and must be trained on these aircraft, as is the case with the F-16 aircraft. This is important in diversifying the sources of armament and not relying on one country. link
