Shafaq News- Baghdad
called on Wednesday for the Iraq’s air defense and air force budgets should be separatedfrom the Iraqi Ministry of Defense’s general budget, a member of Iraq’sparliamentary Security and Defense Committee urged on Wednesday, arguing thatdedicated funding is needed to build an integrated deterrence system.
Haider Al-Muhyawi told Shafaq News that the currentparliamentary direction focuses on requiring the government to allocateindependent funding for air defense capabilities. “The Ministry of Defense doesnot currently need additional personnel as much as it needs to develop itstechnical, intelligence, and armament capabilities.”
He added that reopening military recruitment would impose highfinancial costs at a time when Iraq is not prepared to absorb new personneldespite calls from some political groups, accusing domestic political actors ofobstructing efforts to strengthen the Iraqi military. ”Some groups pursueexternal agendas aimed at weakening the institution.”
Iraq faces challenges in integrating its air defense systemssince the current network relies largely on fragmented short-range platformswith limited coverage, including the US-made Avenger system and theRussian-made Pantsir-S1.
These systems have struggled to prevent repeated airspaceviolations by regional actors, prompting renewed debate over Iraq’s defensemodernization efforts.
Baghdad is seeking to finalize a deal reportedly worth $3billion with France for the purchase of 14 Rafale F4 fighter jets. However,Western media reports have indicated that Israeli and US pressure hascomplicated efforts to equip the aircraft with long-range Meteor missiles.
The reported restrictions could push Iraq to consideralternative options, including China’s J-10 fighter jet or Pakistan’s JF-17aircraft, as Baghdad seeks greater flexibility in its defense procurementstrategy.
: Iraq's air defense void: How US vetoes, and Russian limits leave Baghdad exposed
