Armée Irakienne / Iraqi Armed Forces

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Citation :

Iraq seeks to buy 36 F-16 fighters from U.S

Fri Sep 5, 5:32 AM ET

(Reuters) - The Iraqi government is seeking to buy 36 advanced F-16 fighters from the U.S., American military officials familiar with the request told the Wall Street Journal.


This move could help Iraq reduce its reliance on U.S. air power and potentially allow more American forces to withdraw from the country than had been proposed.

The F-16, made by Lockheed Martin Corp, is the most sophisticated weapons system Iraq has attempted to purchase so far.

Late in July, the U.S. Department of Defense had approved up to $10.7 billion in arms sales for Iraq, including a $2.16 billion sale of M1A1 Abrams tanks built by General Dynamics Corp.

The U.S. recently announced F-16 sales to Morocco and Romania. Those sales, each for roughly $100 million per plane with training, related equipment and support included, offer an indication of how lucrative the Iraq deal could be for Lockheed Martin and its suppliers.

Iraq now appears determined to significantly expand the air power of its military, which has become more competent and confident in recent months but depends heavily on the U.S. for air support.

Iraq quickly has become one of the biggest weapons buyers in the world as it seeks to strengthen and professionalise its fighting force.

No one was available at the U.S. Department of Defense for comment.

(Reporting by Sweta Singh in Bangalore, editing by Will Waterman)

EDIT:please mettez vos articles tjs en forme

Test des BTR4 de l'Irak

Citation :

Iraqi pilots coming to Arizona to learn how to fly F-16s


All but a handful of U.S. troops have left Iraq, but the mission to train the Iraqi military is continuing in Tucson, Ariz., where Iraqis will learn how to fly F-16s.

Saddam Hussein’s once formidable air force was obliterated in the course of two wars against the United States. Those fighters that were not destroyed were either buried in sand and thus made inoperable or sent to Iran and Serbia.

Now Iraq plans to purchase 18 F-16 fighters so that it can protect its own airspace, which had been controlled by the U.S. military for most of the latest Iraq war.

The first of the Iraqi pilots that will learn how to fly F-16s recently arrived in Tucson with the 162nd Fighter Wing, an Air National Guard unit that specializes in training foreign pilots to fly F-16s, said wing spokesman Maj. Gabe Johnson.

The Iraqi pilot is slated to start the academic part of his training on Jan. 23 followed by hands-on flying from February through September, Johnson said.

In December, President Barack Obama said the United States would continue to work with Iraq to stand up that country’s air force.

“We’ve got to train their pilots and make sure that they’re up and running and that we have an effective Iraqi air force,” he said.

The may complicate matters for Israel if it decides to bomb Iranian nuclear sites. Iraq is closely aligned with Iran, and the F-16s could allow Iraqi pilots to intercept an Israeli airstrike on Iran.

militarytimes

Citation :

Czech Defence Minister Alexandr Vondra welcomes Iraqi delegation led by Defence Minister of the Republic of Iraq Sadoon Al-Dulaim on 23 January 2012.

The talks focused on further billateral cooperation in the field of defence and current situation in the region of the Near East.

Minister Vondra at the press conference emphasized that even though the Czech Republic and the Republic of Iraq are geographically distant, both countries are connected by eighty-year long intensive diplomatic relations which are to be followed. “We laid foundations of future cooperation during a trip of (Czech) Prime Minister Petr Necas to Badgad last May and today we could elaborate upon specific possibilities of mutually advantageous cooperation. Simply said, it consists of three areas - aircraft, modernisation of the Iraqi military and education,” Minister Vondra said.

“There is a wide range of possibilities in military cooperation, it is not about aircraft only. The potential of the Czech Republic is really considerable and we are highly interested in cooperation with the Czech military,” Minister Sadoon Al-Dulaimi said.

The media were interested mainly in the sale of subsonic L-159 Advanced Light Combat Aircraft to the Republic of Iraq.

“It has been a years-long marathon and I hope that this day has again brought us closer to the finish. The Iraqi Defence Minister did assure me that the Republic of Iraq is still interested in this type of aircraft,” Vondra said, adding that besides the L-159s he offered support with training of ground and flying personnel, capabilities of VOP Sternberk, education of Iraqi students at the University of Defence in Brno and experience in the field of protection against mass destruction weapons, and demining capabilities as well.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/article-view/release/132168/iraq-interested-in-czech-l_159-alca-fighter.html

MRLS

Citation :

Iraq retains interest in Czech fighter



PRAGUE, Czech Republic, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Iraq is interested in purchasing jet fighter aircraft from the Czech Republic, the Czech Ministry of Defense says.

The plane, the L-159 ALCA, is suitable for ground support missions and is manufactured by Aero Vodochody. It has a maximum speed at sea level of about 580 mph and carries Maverick air-to-ground missiles. It has been in service with the Czech air force since the year 2000.

Czech Defense Minister Alexandr Vondra met this week with Iraqi Defense Minister Sadoon Al-Dulaimi. In a news conference following the meeting, Vondra said the countries have long had discussions on military cooperation in a number of fields.

"It has been a years-long marathon and I hope that this day has again brought us closer to the finish," Vondra said.

"The Iraqi defense minister did assure me that the Republic of Iraq is still interested in this type of aircraft."

It was recently announced that the United States is supplying 18 F-16 fighters to Iraq under the Foreign Military Sales program.

upi.com

MAATAWI a écrit:

he L-159 ALCA, is suitable for ground support missions and is manufactured by Aero Vodochody. It has a maximum speed at sea level of about 580 mph and carries Maverick air-to-ground missiles. It has been in service with the Czech air force since the year 2000.

tien c´est bizarre ca,Maverick et L159 je le vois pour la premiere fois

j'aime pas la facon dont il tien son arme

Yakuza a écrit:

MAATAWI a écrit:

he L-159 ALCA, is suitable for ground support missions and is manufactured by Aero Vodochody. It has a maximum speed at sea level of about 580 mph and carries Maverick air-to-ground missiles. It has been in service with the Czech air force since the year 2000.

tien c´est bizarre ca,Maverick et L159 je le vois pour la premiere fois

le L-159 est une version de l'Albatros tres remaniée, moteur garett, avionique us et autre
le l-159 est conçu comme chasseur bombardier leger et est armé de AGM 65, de AIm9, de bombes classique, de pod roquettes pod canon
son premier vol a eu lieu en 1997 entrée en service en 1998 nombre commandé 72
moteur garett F124-GA-100(derive militaire du moteur civil TFE-731)
radar FIAR Griffo-L multi mode
databus MIL STD 1553B
transpondeur APX-100 IFF
radio Rokwell Collins N-ARC-210
centrale inertielle gps honeywell H-764G
protection GEC Marconi Sky guardian 200RWR
contre mesure Vinten Vicon 78 serie455
6 pylones d'ailes et un pylones ventral
charge maxi de 2340kg vitesse maxi 936 km/h
cokpit full glass et comandes HOTAS

Citation :

Iraqi foreign minister hints at Korean T-50 training jet buy




Minister appeals Seoul to ‘reconsider’ travel ban on Iraq for better business ties


Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, who visited Seoul last week, said his country was likely to buy Korea’s T-50 training jets and the possibility of the sale is “positive.”

His remarks came after Korea Aerospace Industries, the country’s sole aircraft maker, failed to sell its homegrown T-50 supersonic trainer jets to Israel a few days ago. The Israeli government chose the Italian-made M-346 instead.

“We’re looking for this plane to buy from you. It will be positive,” Zebari said in an interview with The Korea Herald at the Iraqi Embassy in Seoul on Saturday.

“Because we’re buying 38 F-18s from the U.S., this is the best plane fit for that job. It will fill the gap for us.”

He did not give details on how many T-50 units Iraq will buy or when it will buy. Local news reports said that Iraq is looking for 24 T-50 units worth about 600-720 billion won ($533-639 million).

Iraq’s Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari speaks during an interview with The Korea Herald. (Kim Yoon-mi/The Korea Herald)

Zebari, a Kurd, is the longest-serving minister in Iraq, having taken office in July 2003.

During his first visit to Seoul from Thursday to Sunday, he met President Lee Myung-bak, Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan and South Korean business leaders.

Earlier on Thursday and Friday, Lee and Kim requested that Zebari help provide a stable supply of oil from Iraq, as Korea is trying to diversify oil supply channels in case it has to reduce oil imports from Iran due to sanctions on Tehran.

He said Iraq would accept Korea’s request, which fits Iraq’s needs to boost oil production to increase revenue needed for reconstruction.

“We have to sell more oil to friendly customers like Korea. It’s not linked to what Korea will suffer from Iran if there is any tension or escalation as such,” the 58-year-old said.

“We already told OPEC that we’re on our course to increase our production. So definitely, we will take any offers like Korea for emergency supplies and assistance,” he said, not giving the specific amount of oil output available to Korea.

Zebari raised concerns over Korea’s extended travel ban on Iraq which can undermine business and trade between the two countries.

South Korea is the only free country in the world that can legally ban its people from outbound travel to specific places if there is safety concern. Currently, Korea bans traveling to five countries ― Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, Yemen and Syria.

Korea’s Foreign Ministry extended the travel ban on Iraq for another six months from Feb. 6, saying that bombings have frequently occurred since the withdrawal of the U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq.

“How could you develop business relations when you have restrictions on your people? It doesn’t make sense,” he said.

He said he raised the issue with the Korean government to reconsider the decision and Seoul “looked positively” on that.

Zebari forecast that there will be an increased demand for tourism from Korea to Iraq, saying members of the Korean Zaytun troops, who had served as medics and engineers in Iraqi Kurdistan from 2004 to 2008, would want to visit Iraq again.

Although many countries including Korea had “some kind of paranoia” that there will be security vacuum after the pullout of American troops late last year, it has not really happened, Zebari said.

In late March, Iraq is to host an Arab summit for the first time since the Arab Spring, which overthrew several dictators in the region.

The summit of the 22 member countries will be limited to its own members, except for four organizations ― the United Nations, the European Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the African Union, he said.

“The agenda will be extraordinary” such as what to do about the Arab Spring, how to democratize the region, fight poverty, illiteracy and what the member nations should do to make their regimes accountable, he said.

koreaherald

Citation :

Harris Receives $51 Million Order from Iraq for Tactical Communication Systems


(Photo: Harris Corporation)
Harris providing full range of tactical communications capabilities for military and security missions

07:34 GMT, March 9, 2012 MELBOURNE, Fla. & ROCHESTER, N.Y. | Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company, has received a $51 million order from the Government of Iraq to provide high-performance tactical communication solutions for a range of security missions.

Iraq is acquiring radios and accessories from both the Harris Falcon II and Falcon III families for its security forces. As part of the order, Harris will provide Falcon III RF-7800S wideband Secure Personal Radios, Falcon II RF-5800M multiband handheld radios and RF-5800H high-frequency manpack radios, along with accessories and training services.

“The Falcon family of Harris radios will provide Iraqi security forces with field-proven, secure communications for a broad range of challenging missions,” said Brendan O’Connell, president, International Business, Harris RF Communications. “Harris offers the most complete portfolio of combat-proven tactical radios and related mission-critical products that address current and emerging needs of forces operating in harsh environments.”

The Falcon III RF-7800S is a lightweight body-worn tactical radio that provides full-duplex voice and data communications over 2 kilometers. The RF-5800M-HH is an advanced, multiband, multi-mission handheld radio that provides voice and data in the 30 MHz to 512 MHz frequency range. The RF-5800H is a high-frequency manpack radio for secure, reliable beyond-line-of-site terrestrial communications.

defpro

Citation :

Iraqi air chief sees son graduate U.S. Air Force pilot training

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The top generals from the U.S. Air Force and Iraq Air Force united here March 9 to award silver wings to 23 of the countries' newest pilots.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Iraqi Air Force Commander Staff Lt. Gen. Anwer Hamad Amin Ahmad were the keynote speakers at the graduation ceremony for Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 12-06, which included one Iraqi officer -Anwer's son Capt. Mohammed Hama Ameen.

"I am proud of him today because he is new," said Anwer, who presented Hama his wings. "He is of the new Iraqi group from a new generation who will do his best to play a great role to build his country."

As part of this new generation, Hama will transition to Iraq as Laughlin's first SUPT graduate for the Iraqi Air Force F-16 program.

His father currently serves as commander of the Iraqi Air Force and is responsible for organizing, training and equipping Iraq's air force. As a decorated pilot, Anwer has 4,500 flying hours in a variety of aircraft.

During his keynote speech, Anwer expressed great appreciation for everyone at Laughlin, and to the U.S. military for its assistance in building a new, democratic Iraq. Schwartz reciprocated Anwer's appreciation of American servicemembers in his keynote speech.

"You have every reason to be proud of the accomplishments of your noble country and certainly your son, who will receive his well-deserved wings from you in just a few moments," said Schwartz. "We are honored to consider you both fellow airmen."

Schwartz, who graduated from SUPT here in 1974, was making his second return to Laughlin since receiving his wings. Schwartz offered words of encouragement to the new pilots preparing to embark on their next journey.

"No one knows what tomorrow will bring, but this is most assuredly an exciting time to enter the ranks of Air Force pilots," Schwartz said. "You must be ready to serve a nation that depends on its Air Force, and Air Force capabilities and skills that you have developed here."

Schwartz concluded by reflecting on the unique nature of military service.

"Commitment to military service is distinct from all other forms of commitment in other professions for it is unqualified and it is unlimited," Schwartz said. "This level of commitment is not to be taken lightly but rather deliberately, and with clear mind and heart."

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Iraqi Air Force Commander Staff Lt.

af.mil/news

Citation :

Limited Iraq F-16 fleet to be capable against ‘threats from Syria or Iran’

WASHINGTON — The United States has approved the sale of the first subsystems for 18
F-16 Block 52+ multi-role fighters for the Iraq Air Force.
The Defense Department has awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman for an advanced fire
control radar for Iraq’s F-16 fleet.



The Washington-based Defense Industry Daily said the F-16 Block 52 for
Iraq appeared less capable than the aircraft sold to NATO allies. The Iraqi
request for the first batch of F-16s in 2010 did not include the Joint Direct
Attack Munition.
“The net effect seems cleverly calibrated to give Iraq an air defense
force that can handle aging threats from Syria or Iran relatively well,
and perform strike missions within Iraq, without being a serious threat
to more advanced air forces in the region,” Defense Industry Daily said.
“Regional memories among its Arab neighbors, as well as Israeli concerns,
make that a smart starting point. Upgrades can always take place later, and
the F-16IQs have at least some of the equipment required to handle more
advanced weapons.”
“Work will be performed in Linthicum Heights, Md., and is expected to be
complete by March 2015,” the Pentagon said.
In a statement on March 14, the Pentagon said the $87.8 million
contract to Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems would include 22
AN/APG-68[V]9 radars for the Iraq Air Force. The AN/APG-68[V]9 has been
regarded as the standard radar for new F-16 and contained a 33 percent
increase in air-to-air detection range.
The Pentagon contract also called for 15 radars for the Royal Air Force
of Oman, which ordered 12 F-16s. The AN/APG-68[V]9 was said to be lighter,
with up to a 45 percent reduction in support costs.

http://www.worldnewstribune.com/2012/03/19/limited-iraq-f-16-fleet-to-be-capable-against-threats-from-syria-or-iran/

Le Mi-171 ( YI-265) de l'armee iraqienne est modernisee en Serbie
http://periscope2.ru/2012/03/22/5633/

La modernisation comprend les nouveax systemes electroniques et les nouveaux armement mais sans details precis.

E pour export?
dit bmpd,le dernier né de cet helico c´est le 171M ou 171A2?
j´aime bien surtout avec filtre IR

merci infiniement bmpd
exact le 171A2 a ete presenté comme dernier produit a heliexpo aux USA je cois

Citation :

US Navy Announces Delivery of Three Patrol Boats to Iraqi Navy




The U.S. Navy announced the delivery of the seventh, eighth, and ninth 35-meter patrol boats (P-307, P-308, and P-309, respectively) to the Iraqi Navy at the Umm Qasr naval facility in Iraq, March 22, after each craft successfully completed reactivation in Bahrain. The U.S. Navy and Swiftships Shipbuilders, LLC, Morgan City, La., are supporting the Iraqi Navy in the procurement and construction of the patrol boats which are capable of reaching 30 knots, armed with a 30mm gun weapon system, and operated by a crew of 25.

“This team has again succeeded in lending its expertise in boat construction and acquisition to deliver these important assets to the Iraqi navy,” said Frank McCarthey, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships’ program manager for Support Ships, Boats and Craft.

The Support Ships, Boats and Craft Program Office manages the acquisition of the patrol boats as a foreign military sales (FMS) case, with three more patrol boats planned for delivery. In addition, the program office is executing a second FMS case for two 60-meter offshore support vessels which are planned to deliver in 2012.

PEO Ships currently manages the design and construction of all U.S. Navy destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, as well as a wide range of small boats and craft for U.S. agencies and allied nations. Since its creation in November 2002, PEO Ships has delivered more than 40 warships and hundreds of small boats and craft from more than 20 shipyards and boat builders across the United States.

http://navaltoday.com/2012/03/23/us-navy-announces-delivery-of-three-patrol-boats-to-iraqi-navy/

Yakuza a écrit:

merci infiniement bmpd
exact le 171A2 a ete presenté comme dernier produit a heliexpo aux USA je cois

Exactement, Mi-171A2 a ete presente aux USA. De plus, cette semaine on a publie la nouvelle que le premeier prototype de Mi-171A2 volearait au 3 quartier de 2012

Citation :

Irak: premier salon de l'armement à Bagdad neuf ans après la chute de Saddam
BAGDAD (AFP) - 16.04.2012 17:18 - Par Sammy KETZ

Avions, chars, missiles, télécommunications, Bagdad a organisé son premier salon de l'armement, neuf ans après le démantèlement par les Américains des forces de sécurité irakiennes pour les rebâtir de zéro.


Avions, chars, missiles, télécommunications, Bagdad a organisé son premier salon de l'armement, neuf ans après le démantèlement par les Américains des forces de sécurité irakiennes pour les rebâtir de zéro.

Aujourd'hui, ces nouvelles forces comptent 900.000 hommes, dont 650.000 dépendant du ministère de l'Intérieur, et leur budget s'élève en 2012 à 14,6 milliards de dollars, soit 15% des dépenses de l'Etat.

"Nous avons besoin que des compagnies spécialisées viennent à Bagdad pour montrer leurs produits à nos ministères, afin qu'ils choisissent les meilleurs", a expliqué à l'AFP le vice-ministre de l'Intérieur, Adnane al-Assadi.

Un pavillon de la foire de Bagdad accueille depuis dimanche et pour trois jours 40 compagnies de 13 pays (Corée du Sud, Chine, Turquie, Bulgarie...), au milieu de mesures de sécurité exceptionnelles qui paralysent la ville. La quasi-totalité des sociétés occidentales n'ont en revanche pas fait le déplacement.

La Corée comme la Chine présentent une gamme complète allant du matériel de surveillance aux armes de tous calibres, systèmes de communication, véhicules militaires, matériel optiques, uniformes et équipement anti-émeute.

"Nous sommes venus bien sûr pour décrocher des contrats mais aussi pour développer nos relations avec ce pays où nous avions le troisième plus important contingent de la force multinationale, après les Etats-unis et le Royaume-Uni", explique Lee Jong-Duk, de l'Association des industries de défense de Corée.

Son collègue Sang Choi, vice-président des Industries aérospatiales (KAI), espère vendre 24 avions T-50, des appareils d'entraînement et de combat: "Nous avons fait une proposition l'an dernier (...), je suis très optimiste".

Pour l'Irak en effet, l'armée de l'Air est une priorité. L'aviation a quasiment disparu après la guerre du Golfe de 1991, détruite par les alliés ou hors d'usage, et Bagdad a déjà commandé 36 F-16 aux Etats-Unis.

"Nous avons besoin de beaucoup de choses mais notre budget est limité. Notre principale préoccupation, c'est l'armée de l'Air et la défense anti-aérienne alors que pour le ministère de l'Intérieur, c'est la protection des frontières et les détecteurs d'explosif", a confié à l'AFP le chef d'état-major de l'armée, le général Babaker Zebari.

Dans ce marché ultra-compétitif, la compagnie irakienne Raban al-Safina représente depuis trois ans des sociétés étrangères spécialisées dans le matériel de brouillage, les robots anti-bombes et l'équipement de détection pour tenter de lutter contre les attaques terroristes encore fréquentes.

Après avoir fourni en 2010 un grand nombre de détecteurs portatifs britanniques ADE 651 qui ont coûté entre 16.500 et 60.000 dollars par unité mais se sont révélés inefficaces, la société irakienne présente un appareil allemand HEDD1.

"Il possède un programme pour détecter sept matériaux explosifs", assure fièrement Hussein Ghanim, ingénieur au département électronique.

L'armée irakienne, considérée lors de la guerre contre l'Iran (1980-1988) comme l'une des plus fortes du Moyen-Orient, était quasi-exclusivement équipée de matériel provenant des pays dans l'orbite soviétique.

Depuis l'invasion de 2003, elle est tournée vers l'équipement américain. Mais la Bulgarie ne s'avoue pas vaincue.

"Nous avons eu de très bonnes relations avec l'Irak avant 2003 et maintenant nous voulons les renouveler, car c'est un marché important", assure Rumen Rykov directeur général d'Apolo Enginering, basé à Sofia, qui vend des munitions de tous calibres.

© 2012 AFP

Citation :

Bell Helicopter Awarded Support Agreement for Iraqi Bell 407s


Published April 13, 2012 | By Marcel van Leeuwen




Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, was awarded a contract by US Army Contracting Command, Redstone Alabama for the procurement of contractor logistics support for 30 Bell 407 helicopters in service with the Iraqi Army.

The award valued at more than $15 million allows Bell Helicopter to provide logistics support of 24 Bell 407 aircraft purchased by the Government of Iraq through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and six Bell 407 aircraft purchased by the US Army and supplied to the Iraqi Ministry of Defense at Al Taji Air Base in Iraq.

“Bell Helicopter is pleased to be able to support the U.S. Army and our 407′s in Iraq,” said Don Brosious, Vice President for Bell Helicopter. “Bell Helicopter has industry leading support and service and we are fully committed to giving the Army that same advantage in Iraq.”

Bell Helicopter will support aircraft utilized to train qualified Iraqi Army Aviation pilots to operate and maintain the helicopters, as well as, rapidly accelerate the fielding and utilization of Iraqi Armed 407 Armed Scout Helicopters.

“The government of Iraq is in the process of building its capabilities to provide security both internally and externally. These aircraft and their operational contribution to the security of Iraq is a result of the hard work and dedication of the entire team,” said Lt. Col. Courtney Cote, Product Manager for the Army’s Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter and of the Iraqi 407 program. “We have delivered this capability to Iraq in record time from design to the first flight. I am extremely proud of this team.”

In addition to on-ground services provided at the Al Taji Air Base, Bell Helicopter will also support the program from its Fort Worth, TX location and its service site locations in Piney Flats, TN, Ozark, AL and Corpus Christi, TX. Support includes such items as initial spares, ground support equipment and tools, aircraft maintenance and contractor logistics support.

The Iraqi 407 program is an initiative to design, develop, integrate and qualify a unique customer directed aircraft configuration under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program utilizing the total package approach.

Bell Helicopters press release

Citation :

Iraq to get first F-16 jets in early 2014-official

BAGHDAD, April 29 (Reuters) - Iraq will receive the first 24 of 36 F-16 fighter jets it has ordered from the United States at the beginning of 2014, a senior official told Reuters on Sunday.

Under deposed dictator Saddam Hussein, Iraq's air force was one of the largest in the region with hundreds of mainly Soviet-designed jets. Its military was disbanded after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

Last July, Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki doubled the number of warplanes Iraq had initially planned to buy to strengthen an air force neglected during a protracted period when the country relied on U.S. air support..

Iskander Witwit, the deputy head of parliament's security and defence committee, said that the first 24 planes would make up two air force squadrons.

"Iraq intends to have equipment which is more developed than neighboring countries have. Small neighboring countries like Kuwait even have five squadrons," Witwit said.

Iraq would be in the market for more planes in the future, Witwit said. Pilots are already training to fly the new F-16s.

Some of Iraq's neighbors and the president of its semi-autonomous Kurdish region, Masoud Barzani, have said they are worried about Baghdad acquiring the jets..

"I feel Kurdistan's future is in severe danger because of(Maliki)," Barzani said last week. "F-16 (jets) should not reach the hands of this man."

The central government and the Kurdish region have long-running disputes over political autonomy, oil rights and contested territories.

But Witwit dismissed the concerns, telling Reuters the warplanes were intended to defend Iraq, not "one man". (Editing by Barry Malone/Maria Golovnina)

trust.org

Citation :

Redstone Report: RSA delivers helicopters to Iraqi Army

(WAFF) - U.S. military operations are winding down in Iraq, which means the Iraqi Army needs new equipment to maintain security in the country.

Redstone Arsenal's Foreign Military Sales group is expected to deliver a total of 30 armed reconnaissance helicopters to the Iraqi Army by the end of 2012.

They routinely sell equipment to countries all over the world, but officials said this project is different.

"This is unique in that it's a customer defined aircraft configuration. So, this aircraft does not exist in the U.S. Army inventory," said Lt. Col. Courtney Cote, Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Project Manager.

All of the equipment, technology and design elements on the new helicopter were custom-created for the Iraqi Army. Project leaders selected a commercial Bell 407 helicopter for the sale.

They transformed the 407 with commercial and military modifications.

Cote said delivering these aircraft is a crucial step in maintaining stability in Iraq now that U.S. Army soldiers are gone.

"We've brought back all of our forces and now they need the capability to fill that vacuum that was created by our departure," he said.

The Army has already delivered three Bell 407 helicopters from Huntsville to Iraq. The Iraqi Army worked with U.S. Advisors to train their troops on the new equipment. The U.S. Army will deliver the remaining 27 aircraft by the end of this year.

The custom venture also helped the team at Redstone with future projects for our Army.

"We learned a lot of lessons on how to do design, integration and qualification here on Redstone Arsenal on this program that are leveraged now forward to the OH-58 F program," Cote said.

The Cockpit and Sensor Upgrade Program (CASUP) will allow the Kiowa OH-58 F to stay in the air until 2025. Many members of the team working on CASUP also worked on the Bell 407 transformation.

wsfa

Citation :

Iraq turns to U.S. drones to protect oil platforms



A U.S. Predator unmanned drone armed with a missile stands on the tarmac of Kandahar military airport (POOL New Reuters, REUTERS / May 21, 2012)

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq is buying unmanned drones from the United States to help protect its southern oil platforms as the OPEC nation ramps up production after the withdrawal of the last American troops, U.S. and Iraqi officials said on Monday.

Protecting the vital infrastructure around its oil reserves, the world's fourth largest, is crucial as Iraq rebuilds an industry battered by years of war and sanctions against former dictatorSaddam Hussein.

"Iraq's navy has purchased U.S. drones to protect the country's oil platforms in the south, from where most of Iraq's oil is shipped," said an official from the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq, which is part of the U.S. embassy.

The OSCI did not give further details of the number or type of unmanned aircraft. But Iraqi security officials confirmed plans to use drones to protect oil infrastructure.

Iraqi forces took over responsibility for protecting the oil infrastructure in 2005, but until the withdrawal of the last American troops in December, theU.S. military had provided aerial surveillance and other logistical support.

Violence in Iraq has ebbed since the height of the war in 2006 and 2007 when thousands were killed in daily suicide bombings and sectarian slaughter, but insurgents still often target oil infrastructure.

"According to the energy police plans, we intend to use the drones by the end of this year," head of the energy protection force, Major General Hamid Ibrahim told Reuters. "We are in the process of training engineers."

Iraq opened a new offshore export terminal in the south earlier this year which helped push exports to their highest level since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion at 2.317 million barrels per day in March. A second Single Point Mooring floating platform was scheduled to further increase exports in April.

Crude exports are forecast to reach 2.75 million bpd by the end of 2012, the world's biggest source of new oil supplies over the next few years.

The southern oilfields around Basra are the heart of Iraq's production, where majors likeBP, Exxon Mobil and Italy's are working.

Security is generally better in the south of the country, where one Shi'ite militia ended its fight after the last U.S. troops left in December. But the oil industry has not been immune from attacks from other insurgents.

Three bombs hit a pipeline in December, disrupting output at the huge Rumaila oilfield.

Iraq's 40,000-strong energy police stepped up protection to deter attacks it expected from Sunni Islamist armed groups linked to al-Qaeda. But officials long complained they were poorly equipped for the task of protecting the vital sector.

(Writing by Patrick Markey; Editing by Janet Lawrence)

chicagotribune

Citation :

Iraqi Acting Defence Minister Saadoun Al-Dulaimi is said to have discussed with US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta the possibility of making the new F-16 deal be for the F-16 Block 60 rather than for more F-16 Block 52 variant jets

http://www.tacticalreport.com/view_news/Iraq:_Dulaimi_Panetta_and_F-16_Block_60/2690