The Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee confirmed today, Thursday, that Iraq is in urgent need of developing its air defense system to prevent airspace violations, especially with the nearing end of the international coalition's missions. Committee member Ali Ni'ma stated to "Baghdad Today" that "there is a genuine governmental trend towards purchasing advanced air defense systems that can protect Iraq's skies from any breaches by any party." He pointed out that "Iraq cannot be prevented from purchasing such advanced air defense systems by the United States or others, as the arms file is a sovereign issue that does not allow any country to interfere at all," emphasizing that "with the nearing conclusion of the international coalition's missions, Iraq urgently needs such advanced defense systems to ensure its airspace is not violated."
Earlier, American media reports revealed that Iraq is urgently seeking to acquire eight batteries of the AM SAM-2 air and ballistic missile defense system from South Korea in a deal estimated at $2.56 billion. Iraq has previously contracted to purchase French radars for aircraft detection in its airspace, and it has received offers for anti-aircraft missile systems, but Iraq has not announced any contracts in this regard. Iraq has experienced airspace violations, including missile launches into its territory or across its land, as well as American or Israeli drones that have targeted objectives in Iraq over the past three years, without the capability to detect or intercept them.
