Iraq Air Force (Air Force) may refuse to use American F-16IQ Fighting Falcon fighters and replace them with Russian-made airplanes. About it reports Military Watch.
According to the publication, 34 F-16 fighters are in service with the Iraqi Air Force – they were put in the country in 2014-2017. At the same time, the maintenance of these aircraft depends primarily from American professionals, whom in the near future can be derived from Iraq due to changes in the political situation in the country.
In connection with this, in Baghdad, they already thought about the acquisition of new aircraft. Back in August 2020, high-ranking Iraqi military stated that in the future they are hoped to receive Russian fighters of the SU-57 fifth generation. However, while these countries for the country look too expensive, in connection with which Iraq can pay attention to more accessible options – MiG-29 or MiG-35, notes Military Watch.
First, the edition believes, work with such aircraft would help the pilots of the Iraqi Air Force to gain the experience required to manage a higher class fighter, in particular Su-57 or Su-30cm2. Secondly, MiG-29 is equipped with more modern weapons compared with the modification of the F-16 supplied to Iraq. Thus, the Russian aircraft is armed with controlled air-air missiles P-77 with active radar homing heads, while the American fighter is equipped with “outdated Cold War Rockets” AIM-7 SPARROW or AIM-9L / M.
In addition, the purchase of Russian fighters would be a logical continuation of Iraq’s policies to acquire armament of Russian production: previously reported on the interest of Baghdad in acquiring the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system “Triumph”.