Iraq secures US, South Korean, Turkish air defenses

The M-SAM 2 air defense system from South Korea. Baghdad (IraqiNew.com) — Iraq has finalized contracts for new air defense systems from the United States, South Korea, and Turkey, with the first deliveries due shortly as Baghdad prepares to regain more control of its airspace when the US-led coalition mission expires on September 30. Baghdad intends to deploy the technology around the nation to safeguard oil installations, important infrastructure, and Iraqi territory while it develops an integrated network of long-, medium-, and short-range defenses backed by radar and command systems. The effort took on new significance as Iraq’s airspace became a conduit for missiles, drones, and military aircraft amid regional warfare involving Iran, the US, and Israel. Iran has also directly attacked US sites in Iraq, highlighting Baghdad’s inadequate capacity to prevent foreign assaults and protect its airspace on its own. Iraq had initially planned a six-year program to upgrade its air defenses, but Al-Zaidi reduced the timeline to three years. The increase corresponds with the final evacuation of soldiers assigned to the multinational coalition’s mission in Iraq. Baghdad claims Iraqi troops can now manage the residual ISIS threat, and Operation Inherent Resolve will officially finish inside Iraq at the end of the month. The new systems from the United States, South Korea, and Turkey are likely to play a key role in Iraq’s efforts to bridge a long-standing air-defense gap and gain more control over its skies after the coalition departs.