Iraq Eyes Advanced H225M Caracal Helicopters in New Defense Agreement with France

 

In a significant move to bolster its military capabilities, Iraq is reportedly nearing the acquisition of 12 H225M Caracal helicopters from France. This development, while not yet officially confirmed, has generated considerable attention as it represents a potential advancement in the defense relationship between Iraq and France. The deal, if finalized, would mark a crucial step in Iraq's broader strategy to diversify its military procurement sources, enhancing its defense capabilities through strategic partnerships with Western nations.

The possibility of this acquisition was brought into the spotlight following an interview with General Tahseen Al-Khafaji, the spokesperson for Iraq's Joint Operations Command, on July 31, 2024. During his appearance on Al Iraqiya television, General Al-Khafaji hinted at an ongoing contract with France regarding the H225M Caracal. He emphasized the helicopter's advanced capabilities, noting its suitability for a wide range of operations across Iraq. His remarks, although vague on specifics, suggested that both Iraq's political and military leadership are actively working to finalize the agreement. This has led to widespread speculation about the deal's progress, though official confirmation and detailed terms have yet to be disclosed.

The H225M Caracal, developed by Airbus Helicopters, is a medium-sized, twin-engine military helicopter known for its versatility and advanced avionics. Initially introduced as the Eurocopter EC725, the Caracal has become a preferred choice for military forces around the world, including those in Brazil, Malaysia, and Singapore. Its design is based on the Cougar Mk2 and is tailored for demanding missions such as combat search and rescue (CSAR), special operations, and tactical transport.

One of the Caracal's key strengths is its adaptability to various mission profiles. It can carry up to 29 troops or a combination of personnel and cargo, with a payload capacity of up to 4,750 kg for underslung loads. The helicopter is powered by two Safran Makila 2A1 turboshaft engines, which provide a maximum speed of approximately 324 km/h. Additionally, the Caracal boasts a range of about 1,200 kilometers with additional fuel tanks and a service ceiling of 6,095 meters, making it suitable for high-altitude operations in challenging environments. These features make the H225M an ideal choice for Iraq, given its diverse operational needs, including special forces deployment, medical evacuation, and tactical troop transport.

The estimated cost of the potential deal is approximately 800 million euros, based on similar contracts previously signed by Airbus Helicopters. For instance, a comparable deal with the United Arab Emirates in December 2021 provides a benchmark for the financial scope of Iraq's potential acquisition. This investment would be part of Iraq's broader effort to diversify its military procurement sources, reflecting a strategic shift towards incorporating advanced Western technology into its defense arsenal.

This diversification strategy is evident in Iraq's ongoing efforts to balance acquisitions from both Western and Eastern countries. In addition to the potential Caracal deal, Iraq has been engaged in negotiations with France for other key military assets. These include discussions on the procurement of 14 Rafale fighter jets, which would be paid for with Iraqi oil—a unique financial arrangement that underscores the depth of the bilateral relationship. Despite the interest shown by the Iraqi Air Force, these negotiations have yet to result in a finalized agreement, highlighting the complex nature of international defense procurement.

The potential acquisition of the H225M Caracal helicopters is just one aspect of Iraq's growing defense cooperation with France. Over the past few years, the two countries have engaged in multiple negotiations aimed at enhancing Iraq's defense capabilities through strategic partnerships. These discussions have not only focused on the procurement of modern military equipment but have also included joint military exercises and the modernization of Iraq's defense infrastructure.

One notable example of confirmed cooperation is the purchase of GM403 radars from Thales, a deal signed in October 2020. This transaction, aimed at strengthening Iraq's air defense capabilities, was officially recognized two years later during the foundation-laying ceremony for the future Operations Center of the Iraqi Air Defense Command. This agreement highlights the ongoing and deepening defense collaboration between Iraq and France.

However, not all potential deals have come to fruition. For instance, discussions regarding the acquisition of the CAESAr artillery system, which Iraqi officials suggested had been signed in May 2022, were not substantiated in the 2023 report from the French Parliament on arms exports. This underscores the challenges and uncertainties that often accompany complex international defense negotiations.

The potential acquisition of the H225M Caracal helicopters represents a significant step in Iraq's ongoing efforts to modernize its military forces and enhance its strategic partnerships with Western allies. If finalized, this deal would not only provide Iraq with a versatile and advanced helicopter platform but also signal a broader commitment to strengthening its defense ties with France and other Western nations.

As Iraq continues to navigate the complexities of defense procurement, the outcome of these negotiations will be crucial in shaping the future of its military capabilities. The H225M Caracal, with its proven track record and advanced features, could play a key role in Iraq's efforts to build a more capable and modernized military force, capable of responding to the diverse challenges it faces in the region.

Iraq Receives Six More Korean T50 Jets

The Iraqi government announced on Sunday that it had received another shipment of the Korean-made T50 fighter jets.
Country’s ministry of defense confirmed the arrival of the third batch in Iraq in an online statement.
Iraq signed a contract in 2013 with South Korea to purchase 24 T-50 jets. It has so far received 18 of them .
basnews

Iraq receives three more US F16 fighter jets

Iraq's Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday that it has received three new F16 aircraft from the United States, bringing the total to 17 since Baghdad signed a nearly $2 billion purchase-deal with Washington in 2014.
The deal was for 36 fighter jets, but Iraq will receive only 34 since two crashed during training of Iraqi pilots in the United States.
The planes arrived at Balad airbase, north of the capital Baghdad, the ministry said in a short statement without giving more detail.
rudaw

Iraq has taken delivery of T-50IQ

Iraq received on Thursday a first batch of 24 South Korea-made T50 fighter jets, said the commander of the air forces.
Anwar Hamma did not mention the number of fighters included in the delivery, but said they were accompanied with all supplementary equipment as well as the a first batch of Iraqi pilots and maintenance technicians trained in Korea on conducting and maintaining the fighters.
Iraq and South Korea clinched the deal for the aircraft delivery in 2013, initially slating it for April 2016 before postponing to the first quarter of 2017.
Hamma said the fighter jets would go into service sooner to engage in airstrikes targeting Islamic State militants.
iraqinews

Iraq receives first L-159 jets from the Czech Republic

Iraq has received the first of its L-159 light attack and training aircraft from the Czech Republic.
The Czech Ministry of Defence cleared the sale of 11 surplus and four active-duty L-159s to Iraq earlier in the year. In all, the IqAF is to receive 10 single-seat L-159A Advanced Light Combat Aircraft (ALCA) light strike platforms, two twin-seat L-159B Albatros II trainers, and three spare parts airframes by the time deliveries are complete in 2017.
Based on the L-39/59, the L-159 has a larger, redesigned nose to accommodate a radar; a longer fuselage; the option for a single-seat armoured cockpit with 297 kg of additional fuel in lieu of the rear seat for the ALCA model; modern controls and avionics; as well as permanent wingtip fuel tanks. The aircraft features seven external stores stations - one under the fuselage and three under each wing - and can carry the AIM-9 Sidewinder AAM, the AGM-65 Maverick ASM, and SUU-20 or CRV-7 unguided rocket pods, up to a maximum payload of 2,700 kg (5,952 lb).
janes

Iraq air force hit ISIS with new F-16s

Iraq has put F-16 warplanes acquired from the United States into action against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group for the first time, the commander of the air force said Sunday.
“Fifteen air strikes were carried out in the past four days,” Staff Lieutenant General Anwar Hama Amin told AFP following a news conference in Baghdad.
“Smart weapons” were used in the strikes, Amin said, without specifying the type.
Defense Minister Khaled al-Obaidi told the news conference that the strikes had achieved “important results” and that the jets will have “an impact on the conduct of operations in the future.”
Amin told the news conference that the F-16 strikes had taken place in Salaheddin and Kirkuk provinces, north of Baghdad.
The first four Iraqi F-16s arrived from the United States in mid-July, out of a total of 36 Washington has agreed to sell to Baghdad.
english.alarabiya

First F-16s Arrive in Iraq

The first batch of U.S.-provided F-16s has arrived in Iraq, following a string of delays over security and other concerns.
The big question overhanging the shipment, though, is whether the Iraqis can fly them.
The Obama administration said Monday that the first group of Iraqi pilots has been trained.
Iraq purchased 18 F-16s in 2011 for $3 billion, and another 18 for $830 million two years later, for a total of 36 aircraft.
There have been numerous delays in getting the F-16s to Iraq, mostly because of the deteriorating security situation there.
How prepared they will be remains to be seen, and defense aviation experts voiced concerns earlier this year.
military.com

Iraq expects To Receive F-16s in July This Year

Iraq will at long last be getting the first batch of F-16 fighter jets it ordered four years ago.
The fighters would arrive on July 12 along with the U.S.-trained Iraqi pilots and spare parts and would immediately begin carrying out operations.
U.S. did not confirm the date, and only said the planes were expected by the summer.
Iraq first ordered the 18 in 2011 to supplement its almost nonexistent air force.
The pilots have been training with three of the planes in Arizona and plans to send them last year to Balad air force base in Iraq were scrapped after ISIS militants threatened the area.
Iraq's air force has been at its lowest point and currently relies on U.S. planes to carry out airstrikes in the battle to dislodge IS militants from the north and west of the country.
By July, Iraq had also received a total of 13 second hand Russian Su-25 jets.
stripes

Czech Republic sell 15 of their L-159s to Iraq

The Czech government today approved the sale of 15 redundant L-159 combat planes to Iraq.
The ministry struck an agreement with Aero Vodochody on the supply to the Iraqi military at the end of last August. The firm will buy the aircraft from the military, and it will then resell them to Iraq.
This procedure is required by the respective law.
Aero Vodochody will ensure that the planes are operable and that they are fitted with further equipment and ammunition.
It will ensure the training of pilots and the ground stuff.
Out of the 15 aircraft to be sold have been grounded and four are actively used by the soldiers. Iraq will acquire 10 one-seaters, two two-seaters and three will be dismantled into spare parts.
Aero Vodochody will subsequently rebuild three one-seaters from the military's reserves into three two-seaters for the armed forces.
By the end of November 2017, the military would have 24 aircraft, including 16 one-seaters and eight two-seaters.
The Czech Republic has tried to sell the redundant L-159s for many years.
Last July, the Defense Ministry and Aero Vodochody signed a contract on the basis of which Aero would sell some redundant L-159s to the U.S. company Draken International.
praguepost

Iraq receives second batch of Mi-28s

The Iraqi Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 1 February that it had taken delivery of a second consignment of Mil Mi-28NE attack helicopters.
It released a video showing two Mi-28s being unloaded from an Antonov An-124.
The MoD confirmed on 30 August 2014 that it had received the first consignment. Although these helicopters have been seen flying over Baghdad since then, it is unclear if they have been used in action as yet.
It was announced in October 2012 that Iraq had ordered over 40 Mi-28NE and Mi-35M helicopters.
janes

UAE Offers Mirage Fighters to Iraq

The United Arab Emirates may be offloading up to 10 Mirage 2000-9s to the Iraqi Air Force in March.
The decision comes after the Dec. 15 visit of Iraqi Prime Minister to Abu Dhabi to "discuss mechanisms to enhance cooperation between the two countries and dry up the sources of terrorism."
During discussions, the UAE offered a batch of upgraded Mirage 2000-9s to Iraq, they are expected to be under 10 aircraft.
The UAE has 36 multirole Mirage 2000 fighters that have been in service since 1986, 30 of which have been extensively refurbished and then upgraded to the same standard as the newer fleet of 32 Mirage 2000-9s delivered starting in 2003 by France's Dassault Aviation.
The technologies and advanced capabilities that the Mirage 2000-9s incorporate include Dassault's "Rafale technology.
The UAE in 2014 also offered an undisclosed number of Mirage 2000-9s to Egypt as part of its Falcon Eye military satellite deal with France. According to the source, discussions included the possible purchase of 40 Rafale Fighters and the refurbishment of the UAE's Mirage 2000-9 fleet with intent to provide to the Egyptian Air Force.
The UAE is also completing the purchase of 24 Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano light strike aircraft for border patrol and anti-insurgency operations. A number of those will also be provided to the Iraqi Air Force.
defensenews

Iraq Strikes ISIS With Su-25

Iraqi pilots on Russian Sukhoi SU-25 fighter jets bombed Islamic State targets near the city of Tikrit, forcing militants to flee the area, a local military source said.
According to the source, these are the first Sukhoi flights to take place near Tikrit.
Iraq received a batch of Russian-built Su-25 aircraft in June, after the United States delayed delivery of F-16 fighter jets, which the Iraqi Air Force had planned to use in the fight against the Islamic State.
sputniknews

Iraqi F-16s to remain in the US until security situation improves

The initial batch of Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft for the Iraqi Air Force will remain in the United States until the security situation in Iraq improves, the US Department of Defense disclosed on 10 November.
The first three of an initial batch of eight F-16s will be transferred from the Fort Worth production facility in Texas to an Air National Guard facility in Tucson, Arizona, in December. After that, one aircraft per month will be delivered to Tucson through to May.
Iraqi pilots will begin flying their own aircraft for continuation training beginning in January.
The IqAF currently has pilots in Tucson undergoing training on US Air Force (USAF) training aircraft. According to the DoD, these pilots will transfer over to their own F-16s once they have been delivered. IqAF maintenance is to be provided by contractor support.
Iraq has ordered 36 F-16C/D Block 52 aircraft in all, the first of which were due to be delivered to Balad Airbase earlier this year. However, the deteriorating security situation on the ground meant that the DoD had to evacuate its contractors at the base, and postpone handing over the jets.
janes

Iraqi MoD confirms delivery of first Mi-28s

Iraq's Ministry of Defence released a video on 30 August confirming that it has received some of the 15 Mil Mi-28NE Night Hunter attack helicopters it ordered from Russia in 2012.
The helicopters shown did not have their stub wings or rotor blades fitted, suggesting they had been recently delivered. They also lacked the mast-mounted radar 360° millimetre-wave radar, although it is unclear if the Iraqi versions will eventually be fitted with this system.
It was announced in October 2012 that Iraq had ordered over 40 Mi-28NE and Mi-35M helicopters, but the precise numbers were not revealed until Russian helicopter manufacturer Rostvertol released a report earlier this year.
The arrival of the first four of the 28 Mi-35M assault helicopters ordered by Iraq was announced in November 2013. The Iraqi MoD announced in May that a second consignment had arrived.
janes

Czech government approves L-159 sale to Iraq

The Czech Ministry of Defence (MoD) will allow the sale of 15 Aero Vodochody L-159 ALCA light attack and training aircraft to Iraq, it announced on 27 August.
The MoD reached an agreement with Czech aircraft maker Aero Vodochody to transfer 11 surplus Army of the Czech Republic (ACR) L-159A aircraft held in storage and another four L-159 aircraft in active service with the ACR including two 2-seater L-159B models.
janes

Iraq to get another King Air

Iraq is to get another King Air 350ER to be delivered by 30 March 2015.
The Iraqi Air Force already operates King Air 350ERs that have been modified into intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms and one King Air 350 light transport aircraft.
janes

Iraq's Latest Su-25s Come From Iran

The latest delivery of Russian-made Su-25 Frogfoot aircraft to the Iraqi Air Force originated from Iran, according to the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS). The close-air support and ground attack aircraft are using the same serial numbers used by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which operate the aircraft.
In a video posted by the Iraqi Ministry of Defence, the aircraft appeared with wing-mounted fuel tanks; the Russian-supplied aircraft were disassembled and flown into Iraq.
Iranian Su-25s have been assigned a narrow range of six-digit serial numbers, all with the prefix 15-245x, with the last two digits repeated on the aircraft nose. While the full serial numbers are not present, the three individual examples identified on the video each featured two-digit numbers on their nose. Two are coded 51 and 56, while 58 is visible on the sole Su-25UB, correlating with identified Iranian numbering.
The camouflage scheme visible on the three aircraft is also identical to that currently applied to Iranian Su-25s, a scheme not adopted by any other operators.
These aircraft are externally in much better condition relative to that of the recently delivered Russian Su-25s thought to be drawn from storage.
Although these aircraft were likely delivered to Iraq by Iranian pilots, it is unclear who will now be responsible for crewing and maintaining them.
It seems increasingly unlikely that Iraq retains the capacity to operate this type of aircraft in any significant number without some level of external support.
defensenews

Iraq receives first Russian combat aircrafts

The first batch of the Sukhoi of five Su-25 combat aircrafts from Russia has arrived in Iraq on Saturday, to enhance the combat capability of the country’s Air Force.
The aircrafts were delivered to Iraq on board an Antonov-124-100 of the Russian Air Force. Iraq’s Defence Ministry has published on its website a video of unloading. Iraq’s Air Force office said the aircrafts would be used “within next 3-4 days to support combat operations against ISIS (the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant terrorist group).”
The officer said Russian specialises who had arrived in Iraq would provide necessary technical service.
itar-tass

Iraq Has Requested US Airstrikes

The Iraqi government has requested US military airstrikes to help combat widespread violence in Iraq, led by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the top American general told Congress Wednesday.
Earlier Wednesday morning, Air Force Secretary would be ready to conduct air strikes and support missions in Iraq if directed by President Barack Obama.
The Air Force could be ready within hours to conduct a variety of missions in Iraq, including airlift, reconnaissance, strike, aerial refueling, and command and control.
The Pentagon has basing arrangements with numerous countries throughout the Middle East, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Dozens of Air Force aircraft, including F-15E, F-16 and F-22 fighters; KC-135 tankers; A-10 strike aircraft; B-1B bombers; C-17 and C-130 transports; and an array of unmanned aircraft are already based or rotating though the region.
Additional assets could be brought into the Middle East, if necessary.
The Obama administration is considering a number of options to combat ISIL, which has reportedly taken control of a number of cities throughout the country.
defensenews

Iraq Has Brand New F-16s, But Can't Use Them Against ISIS Yet

As ISIS militants advance in Iraq and threaten Baghdad itself after taking Mosul, the Iraqi air force is getting its first American-made F-16 fighters. But it will not be able to use the advanced jets against the militants until later this year.
Iraqi forces now field other advanced American hardware, including the M1 Abrams tank, but that hasn’t translated into the ability to defeat or even contain the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Over the past few days, Iraqi soldiers have abandoned lots of arms, equipment and vehicles to advancing ISIS fighters in the country’s north. ISIS has been able to parade in Mosul several American-made Humvee jeeps freshly captured from the Iraqi Army.
Lockheed Martin officially handed over the first F-16 to Iraq at a ceremony in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 5. The 36 fighter-bombers will be single seat C and two-seat D models, all delivered new from the assembly line and equipped with advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. That makes them useful in the fight against ISIS as well as in policing the Iraqi airspace.
Iraqi state TV reported Thursday that government aircraft bombed ISIS positions around Mosul, without saying what airplanes were used -- though they were most likely light trainer aircraft. The air force hasn’t had jet fighters since 2003.
The Iraqi air force also lacks trained pilots who can fly the F-16s in combat. Eight pilots have completed basic training, but none are combat ready yet. Currently, no other air force in the Arab world except for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates fields fighter-bombers as advanced as the Iraqi F-16s, but the rate of deliveries and the pace of pilot training means that the planes will not be ready for action in significant numbers before next year.
ibtimes