Iraq reiterates desire to purchase more US F 16 aircrafts

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) The Iraqi Government confirmed its desire to buy the second batch of the 18 (F16) aircrafts in addition to the earlier bought F 16 aircrafts from The US to consolidate the Iraqi defensive powers.

A statement issued by the Iraqi-American Coordination Committee related to Security and Defense Affairs “The Iraqi Minister of Defense, Sadoun al-Dulaimi, held a meeting with the American Minister of Defense Leon Panetta.”

The statement added that “The meeting of the Committee was held at the headquarter of the American Ministry of Defense and were attended by the Undersecretary of the American Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rose Gottemoeller and the Undersecretary of American Ministry of Defense for Policy Affairs, James Miller,” noting that “Both sides reiterated the commitement of both US and Iraqi Governments towards a long term and solid partnership.”

The statement continued saying that “During the meetings which were held from (22 -24) May, 2012, the two sides agreed that Iraq will host the next meeting of the Committee in Baghdad on autumn which will discuss the means to continue working on the foundations which were set during the meeting of this week and to continue discussions and promote defensive and security cooperation between Iraq and the US, including Iraqi future purchase of weapons as well as mutual military trianing to develpo Iraqi defensive capacities.”

The statement mentioned “The US government appreciated the high performance of the Iraqi Security Forces in confronting terrorism and securing Iraqis.”