Iraq military says looking to purchase air defence system

Iraq to buy air defence system and narrows down candidates to three countries

Iraqi MPs have said that the country is looking to purchase an air defence system from Russia, France or South Korea. Striking a deal with Moscow could possibly subject it to US sanctions

MENA

1 min read

�� Staff

05 October, 2021

Iraq says it needs an air defence system to cover the country 'from north to south' [Getty]

revealed on Monday it will be purchasing new from one of three countries after the state allocated a budget for the missile system.

Bader Al-Ziyadi, a member of the security and defence committee in the Iraqi parliament, said in a press statement that this year's budget would not cover the cost of new air defences but that the country needs such a system.

He said that Iraq could buy the military equipment from Russia, , or South Korea.

"Iraq needs a sophisticated air defence system," covering the full extent of the country, said Al-Ziyadi.

Iraq has been in a state of since the US-led invasion of the country in 2003, almost all due to internal fighting.

Hakim Al-Zamili, an Iraqi MP and a former head of the security and defense committee, previously told RT that negotiations were taking place between Baghdad and Moscow on the possible purchase of Russia's S-400 missile system.

Such a deal could subject Iraq to US sanctions though, as has happened to Turkey when it bought the S-400 air defence system.