Iraq discusses purchasing helicopters, anti-drone systems from US

[currenzcraze]

Iraq discusses purchasing helicopters, anti-drone systems from US

• Amr Salem
•  April 21, 2024
•  1313
•  2 min

The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani, the US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, and officials from both sides. Photo: PMO

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Minister of Defense, Thabet Al-Abbasi, confirmed on Saturday that Prime Minister Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani discussed during his visit to Washington a contract to purchase helicopters and anti-drone systems.

Al-Abbasi explained that Al-Sudani discussed with the US Secretary of Defense contracting for Bell helicopters and anti-drone systems, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).

The US Department of Defense announced last week that it had reached an agreement with Iraq regarding a military deal worth $550 million.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Al-Sudani spoke about the continued cooperation between Iraq and the United States to protect sites across Iraq, including the Kurdistan region of Iraq, against air threats, according to a statement released by the Pentagon.

The two sides also discussed the joint efforts to address the security threats facing the two countries and the future of the international coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq.

The US Department of Defense announced last Monday that the United States authorized the potential delivery of aviation assistance to Iraq.

A deal worth $140 million would include maintenance and training for Iraq’s C-172 and AC/RC-208 aircraft, according to a statement issued by the US Department of Defense and cited by Reuters. 

The statement explained that the deal will strengthen the security of a key ally and support US foreign policy and national security, adding that the main contractor will be Northrop Grumman.