Iraq could become a supplier of F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine. Airforce Technology, a leading military aerospace information and procurement site, reports that Baghdad is considering replacing its American F-16IQs with French Dassault Rafales.
The publication writes that the contract for the supply of 14 French fighters to Iraq has already been signed. According to the official Baghdad version, the American planes were too demanding to operate. It should be noted that the first three Dassault Rafales of the French Air Force flew to the Iraqi air base of Ballad to participate in joint exercises.
In line with this objective, Iraq recently finalized a contract with Dassault Aviation for the purchase of 14 Rafale aircraft. The $3.2 billion allocated to this contract is intended to replace the country’s aging F-16IQ fighters, which have proven difficult to maintain.
- writes the publication.
The future fate of the American plane is still uncertain, but its delivery to Ukraine is not excluded, since Airforce Technology reports on the negotiations between Iraq and the United States on the resale of the F-16IQ to third country.
The US Defense and Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a potential sale to foreign military forces of 18 F-16IQ aircraft, including related equipment, spare parts, weapons
– indicated in the publication of the publication.
Recall that on April 17, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba paid a visit to Iraq, where he met with his colleague and head of government. The results of the trip were not officially reported, but, according to preliminary data, the Ukrainian diplomat became interested in Russian-made T-90S and T-72 tanks, which are in service with Iraq. Probably, Baghdad’s participation in the Ukrainian conflict may not be limited to tanks.
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