Airbus to provide Iraq with new military helicopters
Iraq and the major European aviation company Airbus have reached a deal on Thursday to buy 14 military helicopters, including 12 Caracal H225M multi-role combat helicopters.
A ceremony attended by the Iraqi Minister of Defense, Thabet Al-Abbasi, officials from Airbus, and the French Ambassador to Iraq, Patrick Durel, was held in Baghdad to sign the deal, according to AFP.
According to the head of Airbus Helicopters’ Middle East, Arnaud Montalvo, the delivery of 12 H225M helicopters will begin in early 2025.
According to the deal, Iraq purchased 14 helicopters, including the 12 H225Ms, the French embassy in Baghdad informed AFP.
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, said in May that Iraq is open to effective partnerships with French companies, particularly in terms of bolstering the armed forces’ defensive capabilities.
Al-Sudani’s remarks took place during a meeting with the former French Ambassador to Iraq, Eric Chevalier, where they discussed strategies to promote the bilateral ties between the two countries.
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The two parties discussed modernizing military technology, notably a contract that was signed with the French company Thales.
During a visit of Al-Abbasi to France earlier in March, the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sebastien Lecornu, expressed France’s eagerness to cooperate in supporting Iraq after the completion of the international coalition’s mission.
The two sides agreed on supporting Iraq’s sovereignty by securing its airspace using the latest technologies and equipment.
In July 2023, Lecornu and Al-Abbasi reviewed the discussions Baghdad was holding with Thales Group regarding the GM400 radar.
In January 2023, during a visit to Paris, Al-Sudani met with representatives of Thales Group, Dassault Group, and Airbus to discuss the possible supply of radars, Rafale aircraft, and military helicopters to Baghdad.
The Iraqi and French air forces conducted joint exercises in Iraq last May, in which Rafale aircraft took part.
