Sudani’s Washington Visit Yielded Military Deals, Iraq’s Security Media Cell Chief Tells AWP
(Arab World Press) - A senior Iraqi security official said that his country had signed contracts to purchase 21 military helicopters to boost the army’s capabilities, as part of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani’s visit to the United States.
“Iraq signed an agreement to obtain military aircraft, including 12 Bell 412 and nine multi-purpose Bell 407 helicopters,” Air Vice-Marshal Tahseen al-Khafaji, Chairman of the Security Media Cell, said in statements to the Arab World Press (AWP).
He noted that the contracts were signed through the flexible payment mechanism, not full payment.
“The United States has used this mechanism only with Iraq, out of appreciation for the Prime Minister, contrary to the standard FMS (Foreign Military Sales) mechanism,” he added.
Khafaji pointed to a significant interest in upgrading the air defense system, in order for Iraq to preserve its territorial integrity.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces is interested in upgrading the country’s air defense system to protect Iraq’s skies and territorial integrity,” he said.
Khafaji emphasized that Iraq is “nearly free of terrorism now,” after the hard time the country had been through since 2003.
“The terrorism we experienced was so hard. Now, we are talking about a country that is nearly free of terrorism. There are only a few groups, in some geographically-complex areas, but work is ongoing by the security forces in those areas. Iraq now boasts stability within its borders, and its security forces are strong. There is a huge difference between Iraq in the past and in the present time,” he explained.