Baghdad: Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Yahya Rasool confirmed that the ministry is working to complete the air defense system. He noted that the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ali Falih al-Zaidi, has directed that the air defense system development plan be accelerated to three years.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Rasool stated that “the armed forces have five branches: the ground forces, navy, air force, air defense, and army aviation. The system must be completed and operate in a balanced manner.” He added that “the air force and army aviation possess good capabilities, and we are working to enhance these capabilities.” He explained that “the Chief of Staff of the Army submitted a six-year study based on the allocated budget. However, after his visit to the air defense command, the Commander-in-Chief directed that the period be reduced from six to three years, without affecting the development of the air defense system.”

He pointed out that “there are ongoing technical delegations and meetings with reputable companies in this field,” indicating that “the coming period will witness a transformation in the air defense file.” Rasool explained that “air defense consists of integrated systems that include missiles, systems, and high, medium, and short-range radars, and we are currently working to complete them through communication and meetings with reputable companies.”

Regarding radars, he confirmed that “Iraq possesses French radars that operate with high efficiency, and they have been distributed across air defense sectors, but we need to develop the system in a comprehensive manner.”