Iraqi Air Force

in a very terse statement last week the commander of the airforce stated the following:

"WE are building up our fighter jet fleet with the F16which will roll out in June this year and arrive from July, the Korean Jets which will arrive in less than two years, we also have a contract for fighter jets with another world class supplier and are negotiating for more fighters from another supplier".

That same week a high level CATIC rep, Lockheed Martin rep were in baghdad... and an Iraqi air force delegation was in Czech Republic to enquire about urgent supplies of 12 stored L159A aircraft.

So from the above statements I can deduce:

F16 fighter (arriving in July)
T50IQ (FA50, arriving from early 2016)
ANOTHER FIGHTER JET (arriving this year maybe?)
JF17 or L159 (currently being negotiated).

we don't know what that "other fighter jet" is.

I think i've read from iraqi posters about the iraqi leadership's fixation with buying new or mostly new stuff, if there was any reason and sense of emergency in the government surely by now they COULD have had a squadron or two of second hand F-16 (US, european, no matter) to please the US, a squadron or two of Su-25 (surely there must have been some around Belarus, Ukraine etc. if not Russia), Su-24Ms (again, Belarus sold some recently), maybe some attack helicopters (used Mi-24) not to mention high-end interceptors like ex-indian Su-30K. Also they COULD have jumped in and get a squadron or two of EMB-314 by now rather that wait for this AT-6 (IF they will order any).
As it is, what they bought so far is terribly late compared to WHEN they are needed (Mi-35M only late 2013, Mi-28NE MAYBE his year, F-16 late this year, L-159 MAYBE this year, T-50IQ in 2016 etc etc.). If it's to make a sort of parallel with Syria, it is armour and air power that stopped the jihadists from overrunning all of Syria by now. Imo, in the current circumstances,  not terribly new or terribly high performance weaponry is MUCH better than no weaponry at all.

Another video of Iraq's Su-25



Possibility these ones are from Iran?

Flyboy77 wrote:
Possibility these ones are from Iran?

Apparently, yes! Reputed sources (Babak Taghvaee primarily), and of course the images/videos, show they are IRGC-AF aircraft sent from Iran, 7 in all, joining the russian-delivered ones. Not only that, but these sources say those Su-30K might end in IRGC-AF??! Some wild things happening there.

Related, russian sources say the first 3 Mi-28NE along with 4 Mi-35M have been delivered by An-124 to Iraq, but not sure if this is rehashed and inaccurate news. Iraq did receive a batch of Mi-35M at the end of May. Let's wait for pics or videos if that is the case.

http://itar-tass.com/politika/1291652

Iraq purchased six Su-30K fighters overhauled in Belarus
Russian Aviaton » Wednesday July 2, 2014 11:33 MSK

Director of Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade, Igor Korotchenko, suggested that Iraq purchased six Su-30K fighters overhauled in Belarus. Iraqi prime-minister Nouri al-Maliki said earlier that his country purchased a number of used Sukhoi fighters, RIA Novosti reports.

"Most probably this refers to six Su-30K fighters, which were being overhauled by the 558th aircraft repair plant located in Baranovichi (Belarus)", — Korotchenko said.

He explained that 18 Su-30K fighters have been previously operated by Indian air forces and then the jets were returned in accordance with the contract. After that the vehicles were overhauled by the plant located in Belarus.

According to the expert, 12 out of 18 Su-30Ks were purchased by Angola and the rest six ones will likely be delivered to Iraq. "Given that Iraq is being attacked by ISIL terrorist group, the country needs urgent deliveries of combat aircraft in order to counter the aggression", — Korotchenko said.

He also suggested that besides the abovementioned aircraft, Iraq may be interested in purchasing MiG-29 fighters and Mi-24 combat helicopters previously operated by Russia or Belarus.

The governments of Iraq and Syria are trying to stop the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist group, which wants to capture and control a large territory rich with oil and gas. Over the last three weeks the members of ISIL supported by Sunni tribes and ex-soldiers of Iraqi army managed to capture several cities of Iraq and territories located on the border with Syria and Jordan. The Iraqi government asked USA and other countries for military support.

First airstrikes by SU-25s

http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_07_04/Iraq-forces-launch-airstrike-against-Islamic-militants-1806/

SU-25's being armed with Russian bombs,


- ODAB 250

^ Thank you for the video!

Any idea whether they're guided or unguided bombs ?

iraqidabab wrote:Any idea whether they're guided or unguided bombs ?

Obviously unguided. Just stupid bombs of Thermobaric class.

At least 3 ex-VVS Su-25 now in iraqi service:

Thanks to Iraqidude@ IMF:

Good news that Iraq has shown some spine to not bow down to US pressure to "buy" their stuff.

Werewolf wrote:Good news that Iraq has shown some spine to not bow down to US pressure to "buy" their stuff.

the only new weapons Iraq ordered from the US since the withdrawal of US forces has been a single KingAir 350I ISR plane.

They've made "DSCA enquiries" for lots of other weapons since then of course, but NONE have been converted into sales.

sheytanelkebir wrote:

Werewolf wrote:Good news that Iraq has shown some spine to not bow down to US pressure to "buy" their stuff.

the only new weapons Iraq ordered from the US since the withdrawal of US forces has been a single KingAir 350I ISR plane.

They've made "DSCA enquiries" for lots of other weapons since then of course, but NONE have been converted into sales.

I believe they also ordered some second hand F-16s, but the U.S toke way to long to deliver (which is odd since it's the F-16 not F-35), anyway Washington toke there sweet sweet time and Iraq said F#&$ it, Russia it is.

sheytanelkebir wrote:

Werewolf wrote:Good news that Iraq has shown some spine to not bow down to US pressure to "buy" their stuff.

the only new weapons Iraq ordered from the US since the withdrawal of US forces has been a single KingAir 350I ISR plane.

They've made "DSCA enquiries" for lots of other weapons since then of course, but NONE have been converted into sales.

Well that happends to all countries US occupies, it was same in South Korea,Vietnam, later in Egypt and in Iraq. They just loot the state and leave civil war and terrorism behind.

AlfaT8 wrote:

sheytanelkebir wrote:

Werewolf wrote:Good news that Iraq has shown some spine to not bow down to US pressure to "buy" their stuff.

the only new weapons Iraq ordered from the US since the withdrawal of US forces has been a single KingAir 350I ISR plane.

They've made "DSCA enquiries" for lots of other weapons since then of course, but NONE have been converted into sales.

I believe they also ordered some second hand F-16s, but the U.S toke way to long to deliver (which is odd since it's the F-16 not F-35), anyway Washington toke there sweet sweet time and Iraq said F#&$ it, Russia it is.

Iraq ordered 36 brand new F16s. But they were ordered BEFORE the US withdrawal (and none have been delivered, although 4 have been built and are in the US). the Iraqis were supposed to place additional orders for F16s (for a total of 96 as per the "plan" the US put in place for the Iraqis)... but the Iraqis stopped at 36 aircraft... and they haven't even received any of those!

Since the US withdrawal, like I said, the Iraqis have not bought anything except for a single KingAir 350I aircraft, as well as the usual overpriced maintenance and service contracts.

sheytanelkebir wrote:

AlfaT8 wrote:

sheytanelkebir wrote:

Werewolf wrote:Good news that Iraq has shown some spine to not bow down to US pressure to "buy" their stuff.

the only new weapons Iraq ordered from the US since the withdrawal of US forces has been a single KingAir 350I ISR plane.

They've made "DSCA enquiries" for lots of other weapons since then of course, but NONE have been converted into sales.

I believe they also ordered some second hand F-16s, but the U.S toke way to long to deliver (which is odd since it's the F-16 not F-35), anyway Washington toke there sweet sweet time and Iraq said F#&$ it, Russia it is.

Iraq ordered 36 brand new F16s. But they were ordered BEFORE the US withdrawal (and none have been delivered, although 4 have been built and are in the US). the Iraqis were supposed to place additional orders for F16s (for a total of 96 as per the "plan" the US put in place for the Iraqis)... but the Iraqis stopped at 36 aircraft... and they haven't even received any of those!

Since the US withdrawal, like I said, the Iraqis have not bought anything except for a single KingAir 350I aircraft, as well as the usual overpriced maintenance and service contracts.

Ooh man, talk about tragic, has there been any talk of dropping the F-16 deal and going for some Mig-29s, probably be faster.

AlfaT8 wrote:

sheytanelkebir wrote:

AlfaT8 wrote:

sheytanelkebir wrote:

Werewolf wrote:Good news that Iraq has shown some spine to not bow down to US pressure to "buy" their stuff.

the only new weapons Iraq ordered from the US since the withdrawal of US forces has been a single KingAir 350I ISR plane.

They've made "DSCA enquiries" for lots of other weapons since then of course, but NONE have been converted into sales.

I believe they also ordered some second hand F-16s, but the U.S toke way to long to deliver (which is odd since it's the F-16 not F-35), anyway Washington toke there sweet sweet time and Iraq said F#&$ it, Russia it is.

Iraq ordered 36 brand new F16s. But they were ordered BEFORE the US withdrawal (and none have been delivered, although 4 have been built and are in the US). the Iraqis were supposed to place additional orders for F16s (for a total of 96 as per the "plan" the US put in place for the Iraqis)... but the Iraqis stopped at 36 aircraft... and they haven't even received any of those!

Since the US withdrawal, like I said, the Iraqis have not bought anything except for a single KingAir 350I aircraft, as well as the usual overpriced maintenance and service contracts.

Ooh man, talk about tragic, has there been any talk of dropping the F-16 deal and going for some Mig-29s, probably be faster.

americans already have the money... so they have us by the balls! In fact the US are now saying they will deliver the first planes to Iraq once Iraq pays about $1Bn for "support" contractors...

Iraqi are saying to the americans deliver the items we've paid for FIRST and THEN we'll pay the "support" contracts...

so the standoff continues.

That really sucks... No way you're getting that money back!

sheytanelkebir wrote:
americans already have the money... so they have us by the balls! In fact the US are now saying they will deliver the first planes to Iraq once Iraq pays about $1Bn for "support" contractors...

Iraqi are saying to the americans deliver the items we've paid for FIRST and THEN we'll pay the "support" contracts...

so the standoff continues.

US policies... that is how they get their money back after war...taking money giving promises and not supplying what they "sold".

sheytanelkebir wrote:

AlfaT8 wrote:

sheytanelkebir wrote:

AlfaT8 wrote:

sheytanelkebir wrote:

Werewolf wrote:Good news that Iraq has shown some spine to not bow down to US pressure to "buy" their stuff.

the only new weapons Iraq ordered from the US since the withdrawal of US forces has been a single KingAir 350I ISR plane.

They've made "DSCA enquiries" for lots of other weapons since then of course, but NONE have been converted into sales.

I believe they also ordered some second hand F-16s, but the U.S toke way to long to deliver (which is odd since it's the F-16 not F-35), anyway Washington toke there sweet sweet time and Iraq said F#&$ it, Russia it is.

Iraq ordered 36 brand new F16s. But they were ordered BEFORE the US withdrawal (and none have been delivered, although 4 have been built and are in the US). the Iraqis were supposed to place additional orders for F16s (for a total of 96 as per the "plan" the US put in place for the Iraqis)... but the Iraqis stopped at 36 aircraft... and they haven't even received any of those!

Since the US withdrawal, like I said, the Iraqis have not bought anything except for a single KingAir 350I aircraft, as well as the usual overpriced maintenance and service contracts.

Ooh man, talk about tragic, has there been any talk of dropping the F-16 deal and going for some Mig-29s, probably be faster.

americans already have the money... so they have us by the balls! In fact the US are now saying they will deliver the first planes to Iraq once Iraq pays about $1Bn for "support" contractors...

Iraqi are saying to the americans deliver the items we've paid for FIRST and THEN we'll pay the "support" contracts...

so the standoff continues.

WTF, even under these circumstances.
For comparisons sake, how many Mig-29SMT/M2s or even the 35s could Iraq get with that $1Bn??

If they even get that money back.... 

It must be somewhere north of ~20?

I'm sure F-16's will eventually be delivered, they will be useful with the laser-guided munitions.

It's just that Russian purchases are easier and cheaper, you pay they deliver ASAP unlike the US.

Yeah, which is funny considering their much smaller MIC.