The Minister of Finance has ordered funding for the Korean air defense systems deal to enhance the protection of Iraqi airspace.
The Minister of Finance has ordered funding for the Korean air defense systems deal to enhance the protection of Iraqi airspace.
2026-11-10
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Finance Minister Faleh al-Sari ordered on Tuesday the funding of a contract to purchase air defense systems from South Korea, “to ensure Iraq’s ability to protect its airspace, within the framework of supporting plans to develop the defense capabilities of the armed forces.”
This came during his meeting with Defense Minister Nayef Al-Shammari, where they discussed a number of issues related to supporting the military establishment and enhancing the capabilities of the armed forces, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance.
During the meeting, the minister stressed the ministry’s commitment to supporting the armed forces and providing the necessary financial allocations to enhance their capabilities, particularly in the areas of armament and equipment.
For his part, the Minister of Defense expressed his appreciation for the Ministry of Finance’s support for the military establishment, stressing the importance of continued coordination between the two sides to complete joint projects, enhance the capabilities of the armed forces, and raise their level of readiness.
An Iraqi government source revealed in November 2025 that a contract had been signed with South Korea to purchase an air defense system, noting that the deal included the purchase of 8 batteries worth $2.63 billion.
He pointed out at the time that “if Iraq succeeds in paying for the defense system that will arrive in the country, South Korea will deliver the rest of the defense batteries successively, otherwise the deal may fail.”
At the beginning of July, the head of the “Victorious” parliamentary bloc, Faleh al-Khazali, warned of the possibility of Iraq losing the South Korean air defense system contract, after Baghdad received an official notification from Seoul stating that the system could be sold to another country if the remaining financial payments were not made.
It is worth noting that the South Korean company LIG Nex1, which manufactures advanced weapons systems, announced in September 2024 that it had won a deal worth 3.7 trillion won ($2.78 billion) to export the Cheongong-II medium-range surface-to-air missile and air defense system to Iraq.
shafaq.com
