On December 30, 2024, the South Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced the signing of a contract worth 136 billion won (approximately $93.7 million) to supply Korean helicopters (KUH-1), known as Surion, to Iraq. This contract signing followed a meeting between Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani and KAI representatives on December 23, 2024, during which strategies were discussed to enhance Iraq’s air defense systems. The Iraqi Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to working with KAI and utilizing their expertise to build and improve Iraq’s air defense capabilities.
These movements reflect Iraq’s intensive efforts to develop its air capabilities and rebuild its air defense systems, driven by security concerns and geopolitical pressures in the region, as well as the desire to restore national sovereignty. Since the American invasion in 2003 and the subsequent years of conflict, Iraq’s air defense capabilities have significantly declined, especially with the disbandment of the Iraqi Air Defense Force immediately following the invasion. As a result, Iraq’s airspace has faced repeated violations after the withdrawal of American troops at the end of 2011, due to a lack of effective air defenses, with notable incursions from Turkey and Israel, alongside the presence of ISIS. Accordingly, Iraq has recently demonstrated a clear commitment to regaining control over its airspace and enhancing its national security while reducing reliance on foreign military aid.
Defensive Aspects
Recognizing its shortcomings in aerial capabilities and anti-aircraft weaponry, Iraq has sought to acquire new air defense equipment and systems from various regional and international partners. The following are key efforts made by Baghdad to develop its air defense systems:
- Reestablishment of Air Defense Command: Iraq’s journey to revive its air defense systems began with the reestablishment of the Iraqi Air Defense Command in 2011, a crucial step that laid the foundation for a comprehensive air defense framework. This new command played a pivotal role in integrating modern equipment and enhancing operational capabilities, reflecting Iraq’s desire to modernize its defense structure and regain control over its skies, particularly as the restructuring of the new command was aligned with contemporary defense requirements, leading to the development of airspace monitoring capabilities.
- Diversification of Sources for Advanced Systems: Iraq adopted a strategy to diversify its sources for acquiring advanced defense systems, including Russia, which supplies the “Pantsir-S1” system that provides medium-range defensive capabilities, characterized by anti-aircraft guns and missiles with a range of up to 20 km. This system had previously demonstrated its effectiveness when Iraqi authorities announced the downing of a Turkish drone in Kirkuk in August 2024, with images and footage showing that the “Pantsir-S1” had been used in this incident.
The United States also presents an option for Iraq, especially with Congress passing the “National Defense Authorization Act for 2024,” which includes provisions for “equipping and training Iraqi security forces and Kurdish Peshmerga to defend against rocket, mortar, and unmanned system attacks.” Moreover, Iraq possesses “AN/TPS-77” radar systems from the U.S. and “GM403” radars from France, which enhance long-range regional coverage.
- Strategic Contracts with South Korea: In light of the potential escalation of regional missile warfare, Iraq announced in September 2024 a significant deal with South Korea regarding “Cheongung 2” missile air defense systems worth $2.78 billion, emphasizing its importance in “supporting national sovereignty and protecting Iraq’s skies from any aggression.” The delivery of these systems is set to begin in 2025, providing advanced aerial coverage that enhances Iraqi national sovereignty while offering field and technical training for Iraqi personnel, thereby bolstering local operation and maintenance capabilities.
In this context, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani met with representatives from KAI in Baghdad on December 23, 2024, discussing strategies to enhance Iraq’s air defense systems. The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to collaborate with KAI and utilize its expertise for building and improving Iraq’s air defense systems.
- Expansion of Fighter Aircraft Purchases: Iraq also focused on modernizing its air fleet as part of its plans to bolster air defenses against regional instability and the increasing threat posed by ISIS. In line with this objective, Iraq signed a contract with Dassault Aviation in 2023 to acquire 14 Rafale aircraft to replace old “F-16 IQ” jets. Additionally, Iraq signed a contract with Airbus in September 2024 for the purchase of 14 helicopters, including 12 multi-role combat helicopters of the “Caracal” type, to enhance its air capabilities and tackle security challenges, specifically in countering remnants of ISIS, as stated by Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet Al-Abbasi.
Alongside French agreements, Iraq also expressed interest in purchasing 24 “AT-6C Texan II” aircraft from the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and 12 “JF-17 Block 3” units from the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group in China during 2023.
- Upgrading Air Defense Infrastructure: Upgrading air defense infrastructure is central to Iraq’s efforts; building radar stations, command centers, and other specialized facilities demonstrates a commitment to establishing a sustainable, self-sufficient defense architecture by collaborating with global defense giants like Lockheed Martin and Thales, who uphold high standards in integrating defense systems and operational readiness. Notably, in July 2022, then-Defense Minister Jumaa Inad Saadoon laid the cornerstone for a new air defense center at the Iraqi Air Defense Command headquarters, stating, “The new air defense center will be linked to newly ordered radars from Thales and at least one unit of the ‘AN/TPS-77.'”
- Strengthening Regional Cooperation in Support of Air Defense Capabilities: To bolster its defense capabilities, Iraq sought to enhance regional cooperation through agreements with several neighboring countries, most notably Tehran – Baghdad’s closest partner. These collaborative efforts include joint training programs and exercises aimed at enhancing Iraqi personnel’s expertise, especially in light of Iran’s development of significant long-range air defenses in recent years, which it could provide to Baghdad, such as the “Bavar 373” system, which Tehran claims is superior to the “S-300” system and in the same category as the “S-400.”
Security Motivations
Iraq’s efforts to rebuild its air defense system reflect a clear direction toward restoring national sovereignty and enhancing national security, driven by several key factors:
- Compensating for Potential U.S. Withdrawal from Iraq: The U.S. and Iraqi governments announced the initiation of security talks in 2024 aimed at concluding the U.S.-led coalition’s military mission to combat ISIS in Iraq. According to U.S. statements, an agreement was reached to keep American forces in Iraq until at least 2026, reflecting a reconfiguration of military cooperation between the two nations to face the threat of the terrorist organization.
Iraq aims to establish a clear timeline for ending the presence of international coalition advisors, focusing on “gradually and thoughtfully reducing their numbers in preparation for concluding the coalition’s mission and transforming relations into a comprehensive political and economic framework with coalition countries.” It is noteworthy that Iraqi officials have repeatedly called for the withdrawal of foreign troops in recent years, particularly following the U.S. airstrike in January 2020 that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Deputy Chief of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.
- U.S. Forces Engaged in Syria: With the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, potential security and political ramifications emerged for Iraq, as the U.S. focus on reinforcing its military presence in Syria is expected to negatively affect U.S. defensive efforts inside Iraq. In this context, the Pentagon reported a steady increase in the number of U.S. troops in Syria in recent months, with defense officials noting the troop count had more than doubled the previously claimed number of around 900 soldiers. Although the Pentagon described this increase as “temporary,” Pentagon Press Secretary Brigadier General Patrick Ryder recently acknowledged that the total number of troops in Syria had seen a gradual increase due to rising security threats, particularly with “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” (HTS) asserting control.
- Protection Against External Threats: A primary motivation behind Iraq’s air defense initiatives is the need to protect the country from external threats. Continuous violations of Iraqi airspace by neighboring countries, such as Turkey’s operations against Kurdish forces and Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian proxies, highlight the urgent need for robust air defenses. According to a complaint filed by Baghdad to the United Nations Security Council, there were 1,915 recorded Turkish violations from April to June 2024, compared to 1,438 offenses in the first three months of that year.
- Increasing Geopolitical Risks in the Region: Iraq and Syria have become a key battleground in the long-standing conflict between Iran and Israel, including violations with Iranian ballistic missiles fired over Iraqi territory on one side and Washington and Tel Aviv targeting Iranian-backed militias in Iraq on the other. A notable incident occurred on October 26, 2024, when Israeli air forces entered Iraqi airspace to carry out a retaliatory attack on Iran. In response, several Iraqi officials noted that Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani began contacts with multiple countries to acquire air defense systems to deter any Israeli airstrikes on Iraq.
- Supporting Iraqi Kurdistan in Countering Terrorist Attacks: The growing threat from drones and missiles used by non-state actors (such as ISIS) poses a significant security challenge for Iraq, particularly in the Kurdistan region, where Iraq seeks to equip it with modern air defense systems, in line with the National Defense Authorization Act for 2024, which mandates equipping the Peshmerga forces with these systems. This step is essential for enhancing the region’s capabilities against ongoing threats from Iranian-backed militias and rocket and drone attacks.
Challenges of Movement
Baghdad’s efforts to develop its air defense capabilities face several challenges, including:
- Economic Constraints and the High Costs of Air Defense Development: Economic constraints are among the prominent obstacles facing Iraq in rebuilding its air defense systems, as the Iraqi economy heavily relies on oil revenues, making the defense budget susceptible to fluctuations in global oil prices. Funding advanced systems like the “M-SAM” necessitates long-term repayment arrangements, highlighting financial pressures on the government and limiting its capacity for swift procurement.
Furthermore, Baghdad faces the threat of U.S. economic sanctions if it decides to collaborate with Russia to purchase “S-400” systems, making the acquisition of such systems fraught with economic risks, despite their ability to cover wide areas of Iraqi airspace with a few launch units.
- External Intervention and Regional Pressures: External interventions complicate the Iraqi situation, with major powers, especially the United States, imposing conditions that limit Iraq’s ability to diversify its arms sources. Although the U.S. may express reservations about supplying Iraq with advanced air defenses, should Baghdad demand the withdrawal of coalition forces from its territory, Iranian-backed elements within Iraq oppose these deals for political reasons, including providing defenses for the Kurdish region.
Moreover, strong U.S. opposition exists against Iraq obtaining advanced defensive technologies from Iran, particularly if it involves the operation of Iranian personnel for these systems, which could jeopardize coalition operations if new confrontations arise between U.S. forces and Iranian-backed militias. Additionally, Iraqi reports indicate that Israel has pressured Asian and European countries to hinder Iraqi arms deals, including air defense systems and surface-to-air missiles, and various military equipment, to keep Iraqi airspace open for its fighter jets should it decide to attack Iranian territory.
- Logistical and Technical Challenges: These challenges encompass improving coordination between air and air defense forces, as well as enhancing technical and logistical capabilities to ensure sustainable and effective operation of systems. Iraq faces significant logistical and technical challenges in operating and maintaining advanced air defense systems due to the lack of skilled personnel and experience in integrating multi-source systems into a cohesive network.
Theoretically, Iraq already possesses a considerable air defense capacity through its fleet of multi-role “F-16” fighter jets, which could be directed to intercept targets using the international air defense command and its radar network. However, Office of the Inspector General reports, primarily based on information from the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, indicate that this fleet suffers from issues related to the lack of qualified aircrew, aircraft maintenance, and logistical support, limiting the effectiveness of air operations.
- Operational Gaps in the Iraqi Air Defense System: Operational gaps remain a concern despite the acquisition of advanced systems; coverage of Iraqi airspace is still incomplete, particularly in rural and border areas. Furthermore, inadequate coordination between air defense units and other military branches reduces operational efficiency, highlighting the need for integrated command structures and seamless communication. For instance, the Iraqi Air Force and its “F-16 IQ” jets face a severe readiness shortage, with only 20 out of 34 aircraft able to fly since the departure of specialized American technicians.
Despite the defense deal with Seoul, the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration revealed that the “Cheongung-2” system has a maximum range of 50 km and a maximum altitude of 20 km, meaning that eight batteries would cover just over 14% of Iraqi territory, which is insufficient to protect all major population centers along the Tigris and Euphrates river systems.
In conclusion, Iraq’s efforts to rebuild its air defense system clearly indicate a desire to restore national sovereignty and enhance national security through diversifying arms sources, modernizing infrastructure, and strengthening regional and international partnerships. Despite the economic, political, and logistical challenges, Iraq emphasizes the necessity of developing its defense capabilities, signifying its pursuit of greater security independence to address persistent external threats.
