Story thread · 3 reports / 2 sources

Iraq to get new air defence systems as US-led coalition mission ends

thenationalnews.com · 4dShare

Iraq has finalised major contracts for air defence systems and expects the first deliveries “very soon” as Baghdad prepares to assume full responsibility for its airspace with the exit of the US-led anti-ISIS international coalition on September 30, a government spokesman said on Thursday. Sabah Al Numan, military spokesman for Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi , told a news conference that the modernisation of Iraq’s air defence was “now a top priority” in the country’s weapons procurement process. “We have made great strides in the field of contracts for air defence systems because it is a priority in the armament process,” Mr Al Numan told reporters. “Very soon, air defence systems will be received from reputable sources and well-known companies,” he added. Mr Al Numan said a central plan had been drawn up to deploy the new systems nationwide to protect oil facilities, vital infrastructure and national sovereignty. “They are from the US, South Korea and Turkey,” he added. The announcement

First report: Iraq faces sovereignty test as US-led military coalition exit nears — aljazeera.com, 7d