Iraq expects first purchases of air defence systems to arrive soon

Iraq has signed agreements to obtain advanced air defense systems, with the initial shipment anticipated to arrive shortly, according to the country’s air defense commander. Lt Gen Pilot Staff Officer Muhannad Ghalib Al Asadi stated this during an interview with the Iraqi Defence Ministry’s media outlet, as Baghdad aims to enhance its capacity to secure its airspace.

The acquisitions are part of a three-phase plan to develop Iraq's air defenses, which involves detecting and neutralizing aerial threats, Lt Gen Al Asadi explained. Several contracts have received funding, and the first batches of systems are expected to be delivered in the near future, he said. Technical delegations have examined and tested numerous advanced air defense systems and weapons before determining which to procure.

The contracted systems are highly efficient, and some have demonstrated effectiveness in the ongoing regional conflict, the general added, without naming the specific systems or their suppliers. Iraq has already begun sending military personnel to the manufacturing nations for training on these systems, he revealed. The purchases come as Iraq aims to rectify longstanding deficiencies in monitoring and defending its airspace, following the US-led coalition’s withdrawal from the region after its mission against ISIS ended in late September.

The escalation in regional conflicts since the onset of the Iran war in February has underscored the growing threat posed by missiles and drones, which increasingly evade sophisticated air defense networks. Lt Gen Al Asadi acknowledged that even the most advanced systems have limitations, citing instances where countries investing billions in air defense have still faced breaches by low-cost drones.

"There is no air defense in the world that can protect the airspace 100 percent," he emphasized. Advanced ballistic missiles and drones can penetrate even sophisticated systems, he cautioned. "Air defense operations are more expensive and time-consuming compared to an attack," he noted. Lt Gen Al Asadi also disclosed that the Air Defence Command received authorization to conduct a live-fire tactical exercise next week.

The drills will involve intercepting aircraft violating Iraqi airspace and using available artillery to engage unmanned attack drones. He stressed that acquiring military equipment does not guarantee immediate deployment, as infrastructure, training, and operational preparations necessitate time. Speaking on Iraq's sovereignty over its airspace, Lt Gen Al Asadi stated that unauthorized aircraft entry constitutes a violation, except in cases covered by agreements or authorized exercises.

The Air Defence Command is working to safeguard the country's skies despite current limitations. "Specialized personnel are working discreetly, away from the media spotlight, who possess the capability to fulfill their duties in defending the Iraqi people and the sovereignty of their airspace," he said. The government in Iraq’s semi-autonomous northern Kurdistan region has been requesting Baghdad and international allies to supply air defense and anti-drone systems after facing heavy attacks this year.

A Sunday attack on the Khor Mor gasfield, which resulted in a fire and forced the suspension of gas supplies to several power stations, highlighted the security challenges confronting the country’s energy sector.