The Iraqi Air Force has operated since 2003 with a motley mix of small aircraft, but nary a bullet, bomb or missile.
According to the latest quarterly report released today by the US military, that situation may have already changed.
The IqAF re-acquires the ability to strike targets on the ground in "early 2009" with the delivery of a first batch of 20 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. The armament will likely be fired from one of 24 Bell 407 armed reconnaissance helicopters now under contract. (See page 51)
It's a major step in the re-emergence of the IqAF's air power capability. The government has also made noises about acquiring a range of tactical fighters, including Super Tucano turboprops, T-38 advanced jet trainers and F-16s.
on January 13, 2009 9:25 PM | Reply
Are you sure you don't mean Hawker Beechcraft AT-6 turboprops instead of Super Tucanos?
on January 13, 2009 9:26 PM | Reply
oops. meant AT-6s!
on January 13, 2009 9:35 PM | Reply
I'm not comfortable with giving the Iraqis the type of gear we're giving them- the moment we leave all of this equipment will end up in Iranian hands.
Do we really want to give the Iranians the Hellfire? Or worse, the F-16 so that the Iranians can try reverse engineer those too like the other equipment left over from the Shah's regime?
On the ground side- we're also selling them Abrams MBTs. We're going have to fight them sooner or later- pesimistic I know, but nonetheless probably true.
I'd just rather not have Iranian Revolutionary Guards armed with M-1 and F-16 copies when that does happen.
on January 14, 2009 9:43 AM | Reply
Won't the Hellfires be fired from the 208 Caravans? They've fitted them out for this already.