US eyes new F-16 fighters for Iraq

[Lankan Ranger]

US eyes new F-16 fighters for Iraq

The top U.S. commander in Iraq said he expected the United States to meet a long-standing Iraqi request for new Lockheed Martin Corp F-16 multi-role fighter aircraft, although not as soon as Baghdad had sought.

"We're still working our way through that, but I think they will be new ones" rather than refurbished F-16s, another option that has been under review, Army General Ray Odierno told reporters at the Pentagon on.

Iraqi Defense Minister Abdel Qader Jassim said in July that Iaraq had "many alternatives" for securing such aircraft if the United States failed to supply F-16s."We have to have the right airplane to protect our skies in 2011. Iraq's Air Force is on record as hoping to buy up to 96 F-16s through 2020, the centerpiece of billions of dollars that Baghdad may spend on foreign arms in coming years.

ASIAN DEFENCE: US eyes new F-16 fighters for Iraq

 

[Rocketsingh]

candies for iraq

 

[Kompromat]

^ Stupid -more than anything.

 

[Kompromat]

96 Block 52+ would be one hell of a force.

 

[desiman]

nice eehh, first bomb the **** out of the place and then sell them your arms lol and then we doubt how smart the American's are.

 

[Canaan]

useless against israeli jets
probably with self-destruct or fail-safe software, on top of embargo risk

 

[Comet]

Iran people Iran. Its for Iran. (or may be a little to play with Turkey).
In return, Qatar, KSA, UAE, etc will buy more toys from the west.
Awesome strategy.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

I feel it would be inappropriate for Iraqis to opt for American defence equipment.

I personally have nothing against Americans or America (except the foreign policy part) --- but the Bush administration bombed and almost dismembered the entire country. They set it on fire.

If they deliver F-16s, they should be free of cost. And U.S. should pay for all the damage caused by the war (I cant even imagine what the financial and non-financial costs are)

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

and I will lose any respect for Iraq if they maintain U.S. and british bases there.

i have a feeling that in the end, they will. And it could cause divisions between the govt. and the people.


Smart to just return home, and leave Iraq for Iraqis. They are owed a LOT. Years of war and violence for nothing.

 

[Luftwaffe]

Iraq might opt for similar block 42/50+ upgrades that of egyptian air force. 96 is a pretty much assured figure a single platform capable to perform day/night ops.
Looks like us is looking for around $5-6 billion deal here if blk 42/50+ with associated weapons sale at supposed 50 million per unit.

 

[Parashuram1]

At this juncture, they should be considering more gunships rather than fixed-wing fighters. The latter are extremely expensive to maintain especially when it comes to a war-torn economy like Baghdad. Right now the target of the new government would be to avoid insurgency by various mushroomed militant organizations in the country and quell any threat to the new government.

Infantry equipped with cutting edge small arms and backed by armed gunships is a better choice for present day Iraq.

 

[DesiGuy]

And who says, American are not smart? seriously!

 

[Canaan]

I agree with Parusharam
Gunships would suit Irak better for now at least.
Unless these fighters are meant to counter Iran