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The Iraqi Air Force to Get F-16s
Dec 6th, 2011 | 15 responses
In “The Iraqi Phoenix Rises Again,” I described how the once proud and powerful Iraqi Air Force(IqAF) — at one time the sixth largest air force in the world — was decimated as a result of both the 1991 “Persian Gulf War” (Operation Desert Storm) and Saddam Hussein’s desperate concealing, disassembling and “stashing abroad” of its remaining aircraft before the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq.
While indeed decimated as a result of wars, a new IqAF started to rise again from its ashes — just as the mythical Arabian Phoenix did — ironically with the help of the same powers that destroyed it in the first place.
Already back in April 2004, the Coalition Provisional Authority announced the first steps to form a new Iraqi Air Force with missions such as border patrol, urban security, aerial surveillance of oil and electrical infrastructure and various forms of transport.
In September 2006, operational control of the new IqAF was officially transferred to the Iraqi government.
Since then, an air force that started with zero aircraft and about 35 people in 2004 has been slowly rebuilding with C-130 transports, Raytheon AT-6A Texan II training aircraft, Seeker SB7L-360, CH2000 and King Air 350ER intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.
However, conspicuously absent from the IqAF’s inventory have been jet fighter aircraft — the dream of any air force.
To fill this gap, the Iraqi government has been busy negotiating with the U.S. for the possible purchase of F-16 fighter interceptors.
Back in March 2010, Iraq submitted a request to the U.S. government for the purchase of 18 new F-16 fighter aircraft. Iraq would like to have 36 F-16s by 2020.
As recently as January of this year, it was reported that Iraq was “on the verge of signing a $13 billion deal with the Pentagon for advanced weapons systems, including Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter interceptors.
In the wake of the “Arab Spring” breaking out in Tunisia and Egypt, Iraq came under pressure to demonstrate a commitment to helping out its own people, “to finance rations and social benefits.”
The financial and social situations must have stabilized in Iraq, for in late September, Iraq agreed to terms with Lockheed and paid the U.S. $1.5 billion for aircraft, engines and related equipment, according to the Fort Worth Star Telegraph.
On Monday, the U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin an $835 million contract to supply the Iraqi government with 18 Block 52 F-16 Fighting Falcons. Of the 18 aircraft, 12 will be the C-model single-seat jets and six the D-model combat-capable two-seat training jets by May 30, 2018.
According to the Air Force Times:
The company will also provide support equipment; technical orders; integrated logistics support; and contractor logistics support. The jets will be powered by Pratt and Whitney’s F100 PW-229 afterburning turbofan, which delivers 29,000 pounds of thrust.
Now that this sale has been consummated, and along with other enhancements to Iraq’s air capabilities, the day may come when Iraq’s once proud Phoenix rises again to fly and fight — hopefully not against those who helped it rise from its ashes.
The immediate question is whether — as the American troops leave Iraq by the end of the year — the new IqAF will be ready and capable to defend its skies by herself and what arrangements have been made or are being made for the U.S. to continue to be the “guarantor” for the integrity of Iraq’s air space, especially as tensions over Iran continue to escalate.
15 Responses to “The Iraqi Air Force to Get F-16s”
Why cant the Iraqis buy their own jets? They have oil, sell it and buy jets. Probably get migs or the basic Euro fighter cheaper than F-16′s anyway.
835 million dollars can be better spent here in America on Americans in my opinion.
Cripes I can think of dozens of things more important than “Iraqi Air Force Pride”.
In fact I’m going to write my congressman today and complain about this waste of money.
Allen,
You may want to look into the FMS program before you fire off those letters.
STinMN-
Ok, I give up, what is the “FMS Program” and why does our Air Force have the power to grant contracts to build fighters for foreign countries?
If the American people were able to vote on this use of their money I’m pretty sure I know what they would say to the pentagon.
It is the Foreign Military Sales program and is the primary way foreign countries buy the same (or substantially similar) weapons systems as the US military uses. The foreign country must deposit the funds + some administrative fees, then the US military’s procurement lets a contract to the primary contractor of the weapon system. A few countries don’t use FMS (Canada is one) but most do including Iraq, and for the most part the program is funded by the foreign countries buying the weapon systems.
We need to start arming them again so when we re-invade them again in 2022 it won’t be an embarrassing cakewalk.
Gotta keep that military-industrial complex funded!!
At least they will be able to out fly Al Qaeda.
“We need to start arming them again so when we re-invade them again in 2022 it won’t be an embarrassing cakewalk.”
I figure it will be in 2019, three years after after Jeb Bush is elected President. Invading Iraq is kind of a Bush thing.
Bonus if they borrow the money from us in order to buy them!
Been gone for a while.
Thanks for explaining FMS,STinMN.
Iraq is paying for the aircraft and as someone said is “keeping the [US]military-industrial complex funded.” In this case, keeping/creating jobs at Lockheed Martin and other aerospace/defense subcontractors.
Not a bad idea in this economy.
And, as someone else said, if we invade them again and destroy their AF again, we can sell more (again) … [sarcasm]
Wow, what a misread. Everyone else does understand that Iraq was and is totally paying for these jets right? The issue was what were we going to sell them. Our new top of the line model or an old plane to be refurbished to what is claimed to be the equivalent standard. The reason it’s going thru the air force is because it’s controlled military tech and we generally don’t let contractors sell equipment our military uses directly to other countries. If they had chosen to go with a foreign made jet we wouldn’t even be asked our opinion.
To heck with 38 cheap-arse old C Model
F-16′s. That ain’t jack.
Boeing just sold 50 new 787 Dreamliners and others are lining up in the que to buy more. The jobs can go there. Far as I’m concerned Lockheed can close its doors tomorrow.
Somehow I don’t think Iraq is paying for these jets. Way old tech anyway, but still.
EEllis-
Speaking of not caring about opinions. Why would anyone give a damn where the Iraqis spend our money?
It is their money Allen, that is the point. We were never funding any of this it was only a vote about what tech we would allow them to buy.
And Unless you’re someone who is connected to the industry that the order will help maybe no one will care how they spent their money. Tho there is one other aspect. Regardless how the jets are seen here, there is no doubt that there is a cachet to having the F-16 and new ones at that. It will give immediate significance to the Iraqi air force once they come on line. If that can give some deterrence and maybe some added stability to Iraq and the general region than it’s a good thing even if Iraq starts to move away from the US politicaly.
There are two things wrong with this. One this would guarantee the operation of the assemblyline in Texas for at least 3 years and not only the jobs of those workers but also everything from plant security to restraunt employee’s. Can’t see anything bad in that.
The other is that contrary to the article they wouldn’t be 16c’s. As these are going to be developed new for foreign sale they will be given their own designation and have previously been called F-16IQ. The C/D designation also doesn’t have much to do with the tech level of the aircraft either with the “block” numbers showing much more than the designators about the tech level of the aircraft. The engine mentioned would match the newest models produced for use by the Air Force.
The F-16s being sold to the Iraqi Air Force are indeed designated as F-16IQ aircraft, but most aerospace/defense sources describe them as being the basic F-16C and F-16D Block 52 aircraft.