Iraq plans to replace its fleet of Russian combat helicopters with American ones

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[size=52]Iraq plans to replace its fleet of Russian combat helicopters with American ones[/size]

[size=45]Translated by: Hamed Ahmed[/size]
[size=45]An American report revealed plans by Iraq to replace its Russian fleet with another American-made (Bell-412) combat helicopter, indicating that this is due to the large shortage of spare parts for the Iraqi fleet of Russian-made Mi-17 attack helicopters. In conjunction with the ongoing war in Ukraine and Russia's great need for it.[/size]
[size=45]A report by the American newspaper (The Warzone) for military news, translated by (Al-Mada), stated that “details of plans to replace the Iraqi army’s Russian planes and efforts to modernize its fleet with an American one were contained in the latest quarterly report of the Office of the Inspector General of the Pentagon on the activities of the international coalition in supporting Iraq in its war against ISIS.” the terrorist.”[/size]
[size=45]The report pointed out that "the ability of the Iraqi army to obtain spare parts for helicopters (Mi-17), due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, is very difficult."[/size]
[size=45]He noted, "Most of the spare parts go to support the Russian army's operations in Ukraine, and there are restrictions on purchasing Russian-made spare parts."[/size]
[size=45]The report emphasized that “the current plan is to obtain a squadron of 20 American-made (Bell-412) helicopters to replace a squadron of Russian-made (Mi-17) aircraft, due to the inability to obtain spare parts due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.”[/size]
[size=45]He continued, "Iraq, in addition to seeking to obtain (Bell-412) aircraft, is seeking at the same time to obtain 15 new copies of the (Bell-407) aircraft, a lightweight attack that contains missile and missile launch systems with a command system." Navigational training.[/size]
[size=45]The report stated, "These aircraft replaced the old fleet owned by the Iraqi army aviation of this type for training purposes."[/size]
[size=45]And he continues, "The Iraqi army is currently operating a number of Bell-407 combat helicopters."[/size]
[size=45]And the report added, "The Iraqi army is looking forward to purchasing these aircraft through the Foreign Military Sales program for the United States, through which the US government provides its assistance to facilitate the sale process."[/size]
[size=45]He did not refer to any “problems that the Iraqi army aviation might face in operating other Russian helicopters, such as the (Mi-24), (Mi-35) or (Mi-28) attack helicopters, or any existing plans to replace them.”[/size]
[size=45]The report stressed that “the US Army’s Office of Security Cooperation and Coordination with Iraq (OSC-I) has informed the inspector general that it is now coordinating with the Iraqi Ministry of Defense to convert all the Iraqi army’s aviation fleet to US-made aircraft so that it can obtain spare parts and maintenance services.” Training easily.[/size]
[size=45]He stated, "The American Bell aircraft cannot be compared in any way with the capabilities of the Russian (Mi-17) aircraft."[/size]
[size=45]The report stated, “The capacity of the Russian Mi-17 combat aircraft, its armament, and the ability to carry people and transport goods is twice the capacity of American aircraft of this type.”[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out, "The maximum capacity of the Bell plane to carry only 14 people, while the Russian (Mi-17) plane can carry 26 people on its back."[/size]
[size=45]The report added, “The maximum load of the (Bell) plane of ammunition and equipment is about 2,300 kg, while the Russian (Mi-17) plane can carry ammunition and equipment weighing 4,000 kg.”[/size]
[size=45]And he talked about “the possibility of arming the American (Bell 407) aircraft with various types of advanced ammunition and missiles, which include different types of guided munitions with high accuracy in hitting such as (Hellfire) missiles, (Green Fun) missiles, and by introducing 70 mm missile systems. These light aircraft can be converted into attack helicopters with high accuracy.[/size]
[size=45]The report pointed out that "the options available to countries such as Iraq may be limited in general, if the war in Ukraine continues to impose its restrictions on the provision of spare parts for the Russian (Mi-17) or any other types of Russian-made combat helicopters."[/size]
[size=45]He noted, "These problems can be summed up by the fact that the Russian military industries in general are now suffering from the consequences of obstructive Western sanctions."[/size]
[size=45]The report emphasized that “the US government, through the sanctions law directed against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has options to impose sanctions on countries that purchase weapons or other military systems from Moscow.”[/size]
[size=45]And he continues, “Turkey, a member of NATO, was subjected to the provisions of this law in 2020 when it purchased the S-400 surface-to-air missile defense systems from Russia, and this law also prevented, at the time, a possible purchase of Mi-17 aircraft for the Philippines.” ) Russian.[/size]
[size=45]And the report went on, that "all eyes will be directed to see how Iraq will deal with the steps to modernize its helicopter fleet, which may be the beginning of a broader modernization."[/size]
[size=45]About: The American newspaper (The Warzone).[/size]
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