Iraq intends to diversify its air force’s weaponry sources
Iraqi F-16 fighter jet. Photo: US Air Forces Central Command
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq is planning to improve the combat capabilities of its air forces, which ranked 31st among the world’s largest in 2024.
The Commander of the Iraqi Air Force, Shihab Jahid, revealed on Wednesday that a plan has been developed to diversify sources of arms, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
According to Jahid, the plan aims to make Iraq’s air forces able to carry out modern combat missions with the required efficiency.
Jahid’s remarks coincide with the launch of joint military exercises with the Italian Air Force.
The Iraqi Air Force Commander confirmed that the exercise improves the combat readiness of the Iraq air forces and enhances their capabilities to counter threats in the region.
The Iraqi Minister of Defense, Thabet Al-Abbasi, told INA on Wednesday that the efforts made to improve the combat capabilities of the Iraqi Air Force are part of the government’s agenda.
During his official visit to the United States in mid-April, the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, met with the President of Lockheed Martin, James Taiclet, in Washington DC, where they emphasized the significance of the company’s commitment to set up facilities for maintaining military aircraft in Iraq.
The US Department of Defense, following a meeting between Al-Sudani and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, announced that the United States authorized the potential delivery of aviation assistance to Iraq.