Baghdad: The first batch of F-16 fighter jets bought by Iraq are due to be delivered in two years, US officials said on Tuesday as the top American military officer General Martin Dempsey was on a visit to Baghdad.
Washington agreed last year to sell 36 F-16 jets to Baghdad in a multi-billion-dollar deal aimed at increasing the capabilities of Iraq’s fledgling air force, a weak point in its national defences.
General Dempsey also hinted the arrival of first batch of F-16 fighter plane in his visit to Iraq, saying “There may be an odd piece of hardware that comes up,” he said. “I know they’re very interested in air defence, they’re very interested in achieving the ability to defend their skies.”
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the US officials said that Washington was carrying out $12 billion worth of arms and training contracts in Iraq, with the first batch of 36 F-16 fighter jets set to be delivered in September 2014.
While Iraq’s security forces are regarded as able to maintain internal security, Iraqi and American officials acknowledge they cannot protect Iraq’s airspace, borders or territorial waters.
Until last year, when US forces withdrew from Iraq, American troops had helped Baghdad carry out those tasks.
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