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Further Reading

Iraqi Air Force [IqAF] Modernization

By the end of 2011 Iraq's long range goal was to acquire about 96 fighters in six squadrons, part of a full-spectrum air force with 350 aircraft and some 20,000 personnel by the year 2020. During the past few years, the Iraqi air force, which celebrated its 80th anniversary, steadily modernized its infrastructure and increased its number of personnel. At the end of 2006, the Iraqi air force had 748 airmen and 28 aircraft. By the end of 2011 there were more than 6,000 airmen and 72 aircraft, including the T-6 Texan and C-130E Hercules. During Operation New Dawn, the U.S. Air Force helped advance the Iraqi air force through mentorship, training and advising on everything from support functions to operations.

A squadron of light reconnaissance aircraft became operational in the summer of 2004, with four aircraft at Basrah and expanding later, possibly to Kirkuk. This fleet was tasked with infrastructure and border security duties - reporting problems directly to the appropriate repair and intervention units.

As of July 2005, the Iraqi Air Force was conducting operational missions while equipping and training. The Iraqi Air Force’s counter-insurgency missions focused on aerial observation /surveillance and air transportation. The Air Force had over 100 personnel and had a fleet of 9 helicopters (4 UH-1H and 5 Jet Ranger), 3 C-130s, and 8 single-engine propeller-driven observation airplanes (6 CompAir turboprop aircraft and 2 Seeker piston aircraft). An additional 12 UH-1H helicopters, part of the 16 given by the Jordanian government are not operational while they await an upgrade to Huey II configuration to enhance their functioning in Iraq's climate. The Jet Rangers, CH2000s and CompAir planes all needed logistics support.

The United Arab Emirates contributed seven CompAir SL7, which were unarmed, to the Iraqi Air Force. They are used to patrol over oil pipelines and other infrastructure targeted by the Iraqi insurgency. On May 30, 2005, one of these planes crashed near the Iranian border killing one Iraqi Air Force pilot and four others from the US Air Force. There was no indication of hostile fire.

In April 2007 the USAF Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) issued a solicitation for the Iraqi Air Force to buy at least 8 and as many as 56 counter-insurgency (COIN) aircraft, with a dual role as intermediate to advanced single-engine turboprop trainers. The solicitation was limited to Korea Aerospace’s KO-1 Woong Bee, the Swiss Pilatus PC-9M, the Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano/ ALX, and the Hawker Beechcraft’s AT-6B Texan II.

The IqAF received its first four T-6 aircraft at Tikrit in December 2009 and an additional four T-6s in February 2010. The final delivery of seven T-6s occured in December 2010, completing the IqAF T-6 inventory. The AC-208 armed with Hellfire missiles was the IqAF’s only system with precision ground-attack capability (by early 2010 the IqAF possessed three AC-208 aircraft and 19 Hellfire missiles). The Directional Attack Guided Rocket (DAGR) weapon system mounted on three Mi-17 helicopters was scheduled for demonstration in summer 2010. The requirement by the Defense Minister to make most acquisition decisions combined with the GoI and IqAF’s inexperience in acquisition budget forecasting, continued to make procurement a challenge.

In 2008 the U.S. assisted Iraq in establishing an Air Force Command by providing Iraqi pilots needed aircraft training. The U.S. Air Force has been tasked with purchasing Cessna commercial aircraft that are suitable as trainers for this project. Africair was selected as the contractor to perform engine modifications on eight new Cessna 172s. Cessna aircraft are shipped to Africair, and the standard engine is removed and replaced with a new Thielert 2.0 liter diesel rated at 135 horsepower. The aircraft is painted and new markings are added to identify it as one belonging to the Iraqi Air Force. Prompt responses by DCMA Orlando South Florida quality assurance specialists to the customer’s needs facilitated the shipments of the aircraft to the Iraqi Air Force on or ahead of the contractual delivery schedule of two aircraft from Oct. 19, 2007, through April 30, 2008.

The Iraqi Air Force received a new, technologically advanced aircraft in a ceremony 28 December 2007. The Beechcraft KingAir 350 was delivered to the Iraqi Air Force through Foreign Military Sales, a process that allows the Iraqi government to purchase military equipment and supplies from other countries, including the United States, with its own money. Additional KingAir aircraft, which are fitted with intelligence gathering sensors, will be delivered throughout the following year. Although the KingAir delivered Dec. 28 is not fitted with sensors, it will be used as a light transport for cargo and distinguished visitors and as a training aircraft for Iraqi officers who will be piloting the airplanes.

The IqAF added four aircraft to the fleet at the end of 2009, and by April 2010 had a total of 102 fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. On July 5, 2011 the Government of Iraq requested a possible sale of follow-on support and maintenance of multiple aircraft systems that include TC-208s, Cessna 172s, AC-208s, T-6As, and King Air 350s. Included are ground stations, repair and return, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, logistics, and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $675 million. This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country. This proposed sale directly supports the Iraq government and serves the interests of the Iraqi people and the U.S. The proposed sale will help the Iraqi government to maintain indigenous Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance, training, and counter insurgency/counter-terrorism capabilities. As the drawdown of coalition forces continues, the Iraqi Air Force continues to develop a force capable of assuming the lead in providing for the security of the Iraqi people. The follow-on support will ensure the operational capability of the Iraqi Air Force and will allow it to sustain itself in its efforts to establish stability in Iraq.

Boris Boillon, the French Ambassador to Iraq, confirmed 27 January 2011 that France had proposed a deal for 18 retrofitted Mirage F1s fighters [not Mirage 2000s]. Iraq operated the Mirage F1 before the US invasion, and had a further 18 Mirage F1 aircraft on order which had been impounded by France as part of the international sanctions regime.

To further assist Iraq in providing for its own security, the Obama administration approved the sale of F-16 aircraft to that country, and in September 2011 the government of Iraq spent more than $1.5 billion to purchase the combat-proven F-16 advanced air defense fighter, as have 25 other nations. This acquisition and others will facilitate interoperability not only with the USAF but also with many NATO and allied partners. Although a significant step towards renewing Iraq’s air defense, the decision to field a new weapon system such as the F-16 carries with it many challenges. These include ensuring the proficiency of Iraqi personnel in English, offering follow-on technical training for IqAF pilots and maintenance crews, making decisions on weapons storage, executing bilateral government agreements for the release of sensitive information, investing for the long term in modernizing and building base infrastructure, and developing career paths.

A total of 20 Utva Lasta trainers were delivered between December 2010 and March 2011 by Utva Aviation Industry of Serbia. By late 2010 Iraq continued to evaluate options that included the Italian M-346 of Aermacchi, the British BAE Hawk and the Korean KAI T-50 Golden Eagle. Primary interest seems to have focused on 24 second-hand Czech Aero L-159A single-seat light multi-role combat aircraft. Iraq has ordered 10 Antonov An-32, to be delivered by 2012.