Minister of Defense: Iraq possesses an advanced air force among its counterparts in the armies of th

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[size=52]Minister of Defense: Iraq possesses an advanced air force among its counterparts in the armies of the world[/size]

[size=45]Defense Minister Thabet Al-Abbasi confirmed that Iraq possesses an important and advanced air force among its counterparts in the armies of the world, while revealing that the ministry is considering extending or replacing the F16 aircraft maintenance contract with the manufacturer.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Abbasi said on the sidelines of the celebration of the establishment of the Iraqi Air Force at Balad base: “We have a maintenance agreement with the company that manufactures the F16 aircraft, and now we are discussing either changing the company or extending the contract.”[/size]
[size=45]During his visit to Washington, Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani met with a delegation from Lockheed Martin, which is responsible for manufacturing F16 aircraft. Al-Sudani stressed “the importance of the company’s commitment to opening centers for the maintenance of military aircraft and providing spare materials for them inside Iraq.” “Given the importance of this matter regarding the rehabilitation of Iraqi aircraft to maintain the security of the country,” his media office reported at the time.[/size]
[size=45]The Minister of Defense continued: “On the anniversary of the founding of the Iraqi Air Force, we conducted a joint exercise (Or 1) with the Italian Air Force,” noting that “we conducted the same exercise with the French Air Force last year.”[/size]
[size=45]He stressed that “this context comes within the government program to develop the combat capabilities of the Iraqi Air Force and provide it with the latest weapons and equipment.” He pointed out that there is “a program to improve the capabilities of the Air Force and choose the advanced and good weapons that the Iraqi operations arena needs,” adding that the Prime Minister “has a general direction to develop this weapon.” Regarding the negotiations regarding the withdrawal of American forces, he pointed out that the Joint Military Committee held two meetings, adding: “The third meeting will take place in the next few days, while the main meeting will be held in July, either in Baghdad or at the Pentagon in Washington.”[/size]
[size=45]The Minister of Defense had confirmed in his speech during the ceremony that Iraq “possesses an important and advanced air force among its counterparts in the armies of the world.”[/size]
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