Aircraft
F-16 To Spearhead Reborn Iraqi Air Force
The U.S. Pentagon announced that the first payment had been made concerning the supply of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters to Iraq
For the time being, the Iraqi air force’s three Hellfire-missile-carrying AC-208 Caravans represent the service’s only fixed-wing offensive weapons capability, although the Lasta-95 basic trainer has a light gun option.
For the time being, the Iraqi air force’s three Hellfire-missile-carrying AC-208 Caravans represent the service’s only fixed-wing offensive weapons capability, although the Lasta-95 basic trainer has a light gun option.

In late September, the U.S. Pentagon announced that the first payment had been made concerning the supply of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters to Iraq, ending a period of delay due to budgetary issues and speculation about whether the contract would proceed.

The contract covers an initial 18 aircraft, although Iraq ultimately wants at least 36, and they are of the Block 50/52 variant. Deliveries would be made in the 2014/15 period and Al Qayarah has been identified as the initial operating location. U.S. fighters will most likely continue to provide air defense from the Al Assad, Balad and Abu Ubaida bases until the Iraqi F-16s became operational.

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