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Iraq inks huge deal to buy 18 fighter jets
Source: Agencies |
September 28, 2011, Wednesday
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IRAQ has signed an estimated US$3 billion deal to buy 18 fighter jets from the United States, officials said yesterday, in a crucial step to protect its airspace alone after years of relying on help from American pilots.
But the F-16s aren't expected to arrive in Iraq until next fall at the earliest, and more likely not until 2013 - meaning US troops may still be asked to patrol the country's skies and train its air force for months to come.
All US troops are scheduled to leave Iraq by the end of this year. But concerns about Iraq's stability and continued attacks have spurred Washington and Baghdad to reconsider the deadline in a drawn-out political process that may not be decided until the 11th hour.
Iraq has said its air force is not ready to protect its air space alone, and the country's top-ranked military officer last year said US help may be needed until 2020.
Yesterday, US Army Lieutenant General Michael Ferriter called the F-16 deal "a game-changing capability."
"It provides the basis for their air sovereignty," Ferriter said in his Baghdad office.
The deal has been in the works for more than a year, but was shelved in February when Iraq decided to spend more on food rations for its poor before buying the jets.
But the F-16s aren't expected to arrive in Iraq until next fall at the earliest, and more likely not until 2013 - meaning US troops may still be asked to patrol the country's skies and train its air force for months to come.
All US troops are scheduled to leave Iraq by the end of this year. But concerns about Iraq's stability and continued attacks have spurred Washington and Baghdad to reconsider the deadline in a drawn-out political process that may not be decided until the 11th hour.
Iraq has said its air force is not ready to protect its air space alone, and the country's top-ranked military officer last year said US help may be needed until 2020.
Yesterday, US Army Lieutenant General Michael Ferriter called the F-16 deal "a game-changing capability."
"It provides the basis for their air sovereignty," Ferriter said in his Baghdad office.
The deal has been in the works for more than a year, but was shelved in February when Iraq decided to spend more on food rations for its poor before buying the jets.
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