Washington, Oct 1 (ANI): Iraq has reportedly signed a deal worth three billion dollars to buy fighter jets from the United States in order to become capable of protecting their own air space after years of relying on American pilots.
Iraqi military chiefs believe 18 F-16 fighter jets are desperately needed to bolster the nation's defence capabilities as US troops are set to withdraw from the country next year and instability in the region is growing.
"The air force is considered a vital factor to protect Iraq's sovereignty and security against external threats," the Daily Mail quoted government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh, as saying.
"Iraq needs to build its air force and to depend on its own capabilities to defend the skies instead of asking other countries to do so especially if we know that the U.S. forces will leave at the end of this year," he added.
According to the paper, a 1.4 billion dollars partial payment had been made on the jets, which would be given by next year.
US Army Lt. General Michael Ferriter said the fighters would give Iraq 'a game-changing capability', adding, 'It provides the basis for their air sovereignty.'
The deal also includes a package to train Iraqi pilots for up to 18 months with ten members of the Iraq Air Force are already training on the fighter in the United States, the paper said.
Meanwhile, Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said that the importance of the deal is 'for the world to know that Iraq is an ally of the US in the region.' (ANI)
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