Under the terms of the contract, Lockheed Corporation will additionally supply spare parts and necessary equipment for the Iraqi army. In addition, American specialists will conduct training for the local military.
Iraq will receive three missile modifications: AGM-114K with an improved, interference-free homing head; AGM-114N with thermobaric warhead, causing great damage to manpower; AGM-114R, which can be effectively used on infantry, light armored vehicles, air defense systems and fortifications.
The main carriers of Hellfire are attack helicopters and UAVs like the MQ-1B Predator. However, the Iraqi military prefer to equip single-engine light aircraft AC-208 Cessna Caravan. Low-flying and slow "Cessna" are better suited for tracking down small partisan detachments, which are most often dealt with by military personnel.
“In essence, these are agricultural aircraft converted into light attack aircraft. Iraqis didn’t have other planes to supply the Su-25, however, Hellfire simply wouldn't work for Russian aircraft. ”
military expert Alexander Khramchikhin explained the publication.According to Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, a batch of missiles will be sent to Iraq in parts in the coming months. According to him, this deal is part of a broader plan of assistance to Baghdad in the fight against jihadists from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), who control a large part of the country’s territory.
The Pentagon transferred military advisers to 700 in Iraq, increased the number of reconnaissance flights over the country, but refused from a full-scale operation. “There will be no military solution from our side”- quotes the publication of John Kirby.
According to another Russian expert, Vladimir Yevseyev, the Americans simply do not want to provide real assistance to Iraq.
“If they really wanted to help, they themselves could launch missile and bomb strikes. Send your battle Aviation They didn’t, but they also don’t want to supply aviation equipment either. Well, in addition to advisers who are not really doing anything, they also decided to give rockets. If Iran wants to help, it sends special battalions to conduct hostilities. Russia sends planes with technicians and, most likely, with pilots. And then rockets were sent! Help "matches" the superpower. Then they will shout at all venues that helped in the fight against terrorists ”
expressed his indignation Evseev.Khramchikhin, on the other hand, considers American assistance very substantial.
“The Caliphists captured many different vehicles, and these rockets are just as good against automotive vehicles and slightly fortified structures. The problem with their carriers is the Cessni, because it costs nothing at all to knock them down. The Caliphists have already shot down one Mi-35 helicopter, so they have some means of air defense. ”
The expert said in conclusion.