Iraq confirms purchase of Russian-made helicopters and air defence systems for next summer 0603134

Posted On
a
 

Defence News - Iraq
 
 
Wednesday, March 6, 2013, 01:36 PM
 
Iraq confirms the purchase of Russian-made helicopters and air defence systems for next summer.
By next summer, Russia will supply Iraq with helicopters and anti-aircraft batteries, has indicated, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, Hoshyar Zebari. "I think the first deliveries of Russian weapons in Iraq will take place no later than the summer. The main equipment are helicopters and air defense batteries," said the diplomat in Iraq during an interview with the Voice of Russia.
     
By next summer, Russia will supply Iraq with helicopters and anti-aircraft batteries, has indicated, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, Hoshyar Zebari. "I think the first deliveries of Russian weapons in Iraq will take place no later than the summer. The main equipment are helicopters and air defense batteries," said the diplomat in Iraq during an interview with the Voice of Russia.
Iraq could buy 30 Russian-made Mi-28 attack helicopters.
     

For the project to buy U.S. F-16 fighters aircraft by Iraq, M.Zebari said that the Iraqi side did not feel any problem with this contract.

"Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2014," said the minister.

In October, the head of Iraqi government Nouri Al-Maliki has signed agreements with Moscow for the purchase of Russian weapons for an amount of $4.2 billion. Thereafter, the Iraqi authorities have makes a series of contradictory statements about this transaction. Thus, the spokesman of Mister M.Maliki has said "it was canceled based on suspicions of corruption," while the defense minister of the country, Saadoun al-Dulaimi, has denied these statements.

On the other hand, the Iraqi leaders of parliamentary opposition were indicated its was no the time to spend large amounts of money for the purchase of arms in a context of economic and political crisis in Iraq.