link:Iraqi defence minister confirms purchase of fighter jets from Pakistan - Global Village Space
Iraqi defence minister confirms purchase of fighter jets from Pakistan
Minister Juma, in a recent interview with Al Arabiya, stated that Iraq signed a contract with a Pakistani company to purchase combat aircrafts. The Minister also said the aircrafts from Pakistan will be used for "anti-drone" operations.
Iraq’s Defence Minister Juma Inad confirms the purchase of combat aircraft from Pakistan. He made the revelations in a recent interview with Al Arabiya, an international Arabic television news channel based in Dubai.
During the interview, the talk turned to the Pakistani JF-17 Thunder fighter deal. To clarify, last year reports emerged that Pakistan received an international defense order from Iraq for the sale of 12 fighter jets JF-17 Thunder Block III, manufactured at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra.
In 2021, several rounds of negotiations took place between Pakistan and Iraq. They concluded during the visit of an Iraqi defence delegation led by Deputy Commander Iraqi Air Force Major General (Pilot) Muhammad Majeed Mahdi Mahmood.
Regarding this, Minister Juma stated that Iraq signed a contract with a Pakistani company to purchase the combat aircrafts. The Minister also said the aircrafts from Pakistan will be used for “anti-drone” operations.
Minister Juma also highlighted the increase in drone threats from militias in Iraq. Therefore, to counter the threat, Iraq will buy “anti-drone aircraft” from Pakistan. He also said, “We are getting some aircraft now & further orders will be made in the future”.