Iraq plans to replace American fighters with Russian

The Iraqi Air Force may completely abandon the American F-16IQ fighters, replacing them with Russian multi-role fighters. Military Watch writes about it.

Currently, the Iraqi Air Force is considered the weakest in the Middle East. The Iraqi Air Force reportedly has 34 F-16IQ Fighting Falcon light fighters and 24 South Korean T-50 light trainers. The F-16IQ variant, designed specifically for Iraq, is the least efficient of all F-16 variants operated by other countries.

The Iraqi F-16IQ is the only fighter that is not armed with modern AIM-120 air-to-air missiles, but the outdated AIM-7 Sparrow medium-range and AIM-9L / M short-range, which do not pose a threat to modern fighters.

Currently delivered between 2014 and 2017, Iraqi F-16IQs barely fly due to technical issues. Therefore, and also to strengthen its own air force, Baghdad is thinking about purchasing Russian aircraft. While it is announced about the possible purchase of MiGs, options for the MiG-29 from the presence of the Russian Air Force or the new MiG-35 are being considered.

According to Military Watch, the purchase of Russian MiGs will allow Iraqi pilots to familiarize themselves with Russian combat aircraft, which may lead to the purchase of more expensive heavy fighters of the Su-30 line. In general, the Iraqi military plans to purchase a fifth-generation Russian fighter Su-57, but it's too early to talk about that, the American publication sums up. Where did the publication get the information about Baghdad's interest in the Su-57 is an open question.

Comments

[knn54]

The MiG-35 is unambiguous. It forgives a lot.

[Terrible_L.]

In general, the plans of the Iraqi military include the purchase of a fifth-generation Russian fighter Su-57, the American edition sums up.

Vague doubts torment me

[xorek]

Quote: Scary_L.

In general, the plans of the Iraqi military include the purchase of a fifth-generation Russian fighter Su-57, the American edition sums up.

Vague doubts torment me

You definitely noticed! Recently, an article was published by the Amers who complained that they no longer have Soviet fighters to train their pilots ...
You need to be very careful with these sales, especially in Iraq, the US colonies

[Herman 4223]

A couple of years ago I read an article that in the United States there are several private companies that have Soviet fighters and, as I understand it, they help train American pilots. It was written about that one of these planes crashed in the United States. Su -27 it seems.

[Alex777]

Never in my life will the States allow Iraq to change their "democratic" F-16s for our "totalitarian" MiG-XXs.

[silver_roman]

Tanks gave, ka 52k too, why won't the planes? kind of like buying everything for the money of the Saudis.

[Alex777]

Shiites are in power in Iraq. They are friends with Iran.
Where could the Sunni KSA money come from there?
Any replacement of the F-16 with the MiG is a severe blow to the authority of the US military-industrial complex. This seems obvious to me.
Everything that the States gave Iraq to buy was until 2015.

[silver_roman]

yes, I mixed up the supplies from Egypt. my kosyk) But still, for the sake of justice, President Saleh is now in Iraq. all that I have listed takes place in Egypt.

[Finches]

Duck who will allow them that ??

[Pete mitchell]

Quote: Finches

Duck who will allow them that ??

The Iraqis have already shown reluctance to follow the instructions of their American uncle: they were very upset by their uncle when they chose the European GSM standard for mobile communications; They have Mi-28 there. Let's see, I would like to see how amers click on the nose

[hrych]

The same one who allowed to take Mi-28 helicopters, Su-25 attack aircraft and other TOS, T-90, Pantsiri-S. Those. Supreme. Lukoil has a 75% stake in West Qurna-2, while the Iraqis have 25%. They will pay from the share of the sold oil.

[Proton]

Of course, they have a desire. But the country is under external control, so Russian fighters are unlikely to end up in the Iraqi Air Force.

[Herman 4223]

That under external control it is true. But they were allowed to buy our tanks and helicopters.

[figwam]

The Iraqi Air Force may completely abandon the American F-16IQ fighters, replacing them with Russian multi-role fighters.

That's right, the tanks have already been changed, now it's time to planes.

[AC130 Gunship]

They won't even be allowed to twitch. There's a government dancing to the tune of the United States

[Tagan]

Quote: Scary_L.

In general, the plans of the Iraqi military include the purchase of a fifth-generation Russian fighter Su-57, the American edition sums up.

Vague doubts torment me

Ukrainians fantasize about the F-35. So everything is fine.)))

[Terrible_L.]

Well, it's hard to limit the flight of fantasy)

[Prjanik]

It seems to me that the MiG-35 with AFAR would be what Iraq and Iran need, inexpensive and cheerful

[Nikon O'Conor]

Iraq and Iran are countries of the opposite pole (now). Iraq is a US colony, no one will sell them MIGs of the RF Armed Forces (and even more advanced machines, even more so) - if only the "export option" is strong.

[Prjanik]

Of course, all more or less new equipment is exported abroad. The influence of Shiite Iran in Iraq is great, and the United States did not stop us from purchasing our helicopters, tanks, air defense since 2014, even if it was before the sanctions, well, let's see how it will be now

[Revolver]

Quote: Prjanik

It seems to me that the MiG-35 with AFAR would be what Iraq and Iran need, inexpensive and cheerful

This is precisely what should in no way end up in the clutches of the ayatollahs. Even without it, they are greedy beyond measure.

[Bradley]

Just used F-16s for Ukraine will be released. And the price will be low (relatively), and the possibilities are quite reasonable. However, Ukraine and the basic F-16 Block 30/32 for the eyes. They cost a penny and are angry, as for Ukraine.

[Zaurbek]

The Iraqi F-16IQ is the only fighter that is not armed with modern AIM-120 air-to-air missiles, but the outdated AIM-7 Sparrow medium-range and AIM-9L / M short-range, which do not pose a threat to modern fighters.


They were supplied for work on the "ground", and not for wars in the air ..... Although such a set of V-B missiles is quite suitable for fighting Iran and Syria ..... and with others, you do not need to fight.

[Nurdom.]

They haven't flown in Moments for a long time. They still need to be taught.

[Revolver]

Arabs they are so Arabs. They killed the F-16, and the MIGs will also be killed. Whatever you give them, they will either break or lose. And they will also create anti-advertising. However, if for cash, not on credit, and at a real price, and not at a preferential price, then you can sell it.

[Ratmir_Ryazan]

Poland also has 48 F-16s laid up at airfields, and Poles fly on MiG-29s of the Soviet assembly.

[Anzhey V.]

Quote: knn54

The MiG-35 is unambiguous. It forgives a lot.

The problem is that Iraq now does not even have the funds to buy spare parts for the Su-25.

The Iraqi Air Force has been in a completely incapacitated state for more than a year (a number of combat units since 2019). The level of technical maintenance is low, there are no funds for retraining of pilots and spare parts - even the UAVs are not used, all are on the ground for many months.

Against the backdrop of a terrible humanitarian crisis in the country, they will have no time for airplanes in the next 10 years - they cannot deal with the current fleet.

[lvov_aleksey]

Where did the publication get the information about Baghdad's interest in the Su-57 is an open question.
ps here, as always, India is bargaining with the bosses, which would be cheaper.
no one will prove otherwise, and India has got me for a long time. The most capricious country in the world ...

[Artemion3]

Quote: Nikon OConor

Iraq and Iran are countries of the opposite pole (now). Iraq is a US colony, no one will sell them MIGs of the RF Armed Forces (and even more advanced machines, even more so) - if only the "export option" is strong.

We sold s-400 to Turkey

[Kosh]

Iraq now has such big financial problems that there is no need to talk about any new purchases in the near future. Judging by the leaked information, they have huge problems with maintaining in flight condition even our Su-25 attack aircraft, Czech L-159 combat aircraft and Chinese CH-4 attack drones. That is, there they either do not fly at all, or only single machines fly.

[Herman 4223]

Even curious. Since 2003, the US puppet government has been in Iraq. Why do they allow them to buy equipment from Russia?

[Vitaly Solovyov]

Iraq bought a lot during the Soviet era, but will it be able to buy modern Iraq? How independent he is, maybe he can't be trusted with a wheelbarrow now?