Iraq buys air defense systems from France, South Korea

Iraq has purchased tactical helicopters, missile systems, and radars from France and South Korea, the defense ministry said on Monday, as part of efforts to bolster the country’s air defense capabilities. 

“Along with the purchase of 14 French Caracal helicopters, we have also signed a contract with France to purchase several radars for air defence, some of which we have received, and the rest will be received next year,” Tahseen al-Khafaji, head of media for the Iraqi defense ministry, told Rudaw.

In September 2024, Iraq and Airbus signed an agreement under which the French company would provide Iraq with a total of 14 helicopters, including 12 Airbus H225M helicopters, also known as Caracal.
 
The agreement came amid ongoing efforts to strengthen defense relations between Baghdad and Paris, following a meeting between Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The defense ministry announced in late April that two Caracal military helicopters arrived in Baghdad.

“According to the contract we have with the French company Airbus, up to the beginning of next year, 14 Caracal military helicopters will arrive in Iraq,” Khafaji said.

A separate transaction with South Korea also saw Baghdad acquire missile systems. 

“We have signed a contract with South Korea to purchase several missile systems, which will be a good assistance in strengthening the country's defence system,” Khafaji said.

“The aim of the prime minister and our ministry is to further strengthen air defence, and that is by increasing the amount of budget allocated to our ministry and contracting to purchase weapons and supplies,” he added.

In September 2019, the Iraqi parliament passed a bill to establish the Defense Industries Commission (DIC) with the aim of expanding military production. Last September, the interior minister showcased the first batch of domestically produced armored vehicles manufactured by the commission.

In late March, the DIC announced it had saved $700 million over the past two years by manufacturing weapons and ammunition locally, reducing reliance on imports.

In April, the commission exhibited domestically produced drones during a security and defense exhibition in Baghdad. The drones weigh 60 kilograms, have a wingspan of 4.8 meters, and can remain airborne for five to six hours, cover a range of around 80 kilometers, and be deployed within 20 minutes.