Iraq plans to buy 12 French fighter jets
Iraq plans to buy 12 French fighter jets
10-19-2024
Information/Translation..
A report by the French newspaper La Tribune revealed on Saturday that Iraq is planning to purchase French Rafale aircraft from Dassault Aviation to enhance the country’s air defense capabilities.
The report, translated by Al-Maalouma Agency, stated that “the Iraqi Ministry of Defense is trying to get closer to the French defense industry by concluding large contracts to purchase weapons, and among those plans is the purchase of Rafale fighters, which will complement the newly formed air defense and control system, which consists mainly of French radar stations in Iraq.”
He added, “In total, Iraq plans to buy 12 Rafale fighter jets worth $3.2 billion, of which $240 million has been paid as part of the first installment. The Iraqi government previously stated that it was prepared to pay for the new Dassault fighters not with foreign currency, but with oil supplies to France.”
The report explained that “the French Rafale aircraft will complement Iraq’s fleet of American F-16 aircraft, which were the first type of modern aircraft in the Iraqi Air Force, but due to pressure from the Israeli entity on the French government, the sale of air-launched Meteor missiles to Iraq will be banned in the same way that was done with the Egyptian Rafale fighters.” According to the report
The report continued, “In addition to the Rafale aircraft, Iraq has also submitted a request to purchase fixed radar stations from the French Ground Master family, which will allow the country to establish a central system for monitoring airspace.”
In August 2024, Iraq submitted a request to purchase French Caracal WAG 225 transport helicopters. The Iraqi Army Aviation will receive 12 newly built Caracal helicopters and two refurbished WAG 225 helicopters.”
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