Baghdad (Agencies): Iraq’s Army Aviation Command received last week the first batch of Bell 505 helicopters that will be used in training missions.
A ceremony was held at Baghdad International Airport to hand over the first batch of 15 Bell helicopters ordered by Iraq, according to the Aerospace Daily & Defense Report.
The event was attended by a representative of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, the Commander of the Army Aviation, senior military officers, the US military attaché, and a representative of Bell Company, according to a statement issued by the Iraqi Defense Ministry.
This batch will prepare qualified pilots who can defend Iraq’s airspace from any attack, as well as drastically and visibly improve the training system using modern aircraft.
According to ambitious, cutting-edge plans in this field, these helicopters are expected to train pilots and improve the capabilities of Iraq’s Army Aviation.
In May, the head of the Iraqi Security Media Cell (ISMC), Major General Tahseen Al-Khafaji, announced that Iraq agreed with the United States to purchase 21 multi-purpose aircraft during the recent visit of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani to Washington.
Al-Khafaji also told the state news agency (INA) that Iraq signed a contract with the United States to purchase 12 Bell 412 multi-purpose helicopters and 9 Bell 407 helicopters.
The Iraqi official explained that the United States also provided military aid to Iraq, represented by 15 Bell 505 training helicopters and 5 Bell 412 helicopters.
The ISMC official explained that the helicopters are used by the Iraqi Air Force, emphasizing their value in supporting ground forces and conducting reconnaissance.
Al-Khafaji clarified that Iraq needed multi-purpose helicopters that can meet the requirements of air defense, ground attack, and reconnaissance and are adaptable enough to be used with ground units.
The Commander of the Iraqi Air Force, Shihab Jahid, revealed earlier that a plan has been developed to diversify sources of arms, noting that the plan aims to make Iraq’s air forces able to carry out modern combat missions with the required efficiency.
The US Department of Defense announced in mid-April that it had reached an agreement with Iraq regarding a military deal worth $550 million.
The US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, and Al-Sudani discussed the continued cooperation between Iraq and the United States to protect sites across the country, including the Kurdistan region of Iraq, against air threats, according to a statement released by the Pentagon.
The US Department of Defense mentioned in a statement earlier that a deal worth $140 million would include maintenance and training for Iraq’s C-172 and AC/RC-208 aircraft, according to Reuters.
The statement added that the deal will strengthen the security of a key ally and support US foreign policy and national security, adding that the main contractor will be Northrop Grumman.