With its armed forces, something of a renaissance Undergoing, HAS Iraq, since the toppling of Saddam Hussein's regime, something resembling normality Towards inched. Corruption allegations and political machinations have, however, Threatened to disrupt Such progress.
With Saddam Hussein's toppled diet and the threat of diminishing insurgency, the U.S. withdrawal from icts completed active duty in Iraq in December 2011. Since then, a concerted attempt has-beens from the international community made to not only secure the immediate future of the Iraqi population, purpose aussi to Maintain Iraq's international sovereignty.
Decimated by the land operations from coalition forces, That lead to the Overthrowing of Saddam Hussein's government, the Iraqi Army's ground forces, said Were in need of modernization. All but four T-55 tanks, Recovered from an old army base and Placed into service with the Iraqi Army's 1st Division, the replacing needed.
DESPITE initial problems and contract cancellations Owing to incomplete paperwork, and the persistent threat of collusion and corruption exposed by recent best contract terminations, the new Iraqi Army is Beginning to take shape on the back of a recent spate of contract awards and equipment deliveries.
Ground Forces Abrams rejuvenated with handover
Having beens Extensively used in the country by coalition forces, to dispel the Iraqi Army's fleet of T-72 tanks falling on the initial invasion, the M1A1 Abrams tank was richly Sought after. In March 2009, the U.S. $ 860m year Agreed foreign military sale, under Which Would Iraq 140 M1A1 Abrams tanks receive help to protect national sovereignty, of Which the U.S. paid $ 54m. The final shipment of nine M1A1s was Delivered in September 2012.
Iraq's armored body will not be populated by Solely Abrams tanks, Hungary Effective Agreed to donate 77 T-72s in May 2005, with Defense Solutions Receiving a $ 4.5m contract to refurbish them up to operational standards.
In order to compliment the use of battle tanks, the Iraqi Army has received HAS aussi Substantial number of Armoured Personnel Carriers and fighting vehicles from a variety of nations, linking Avoiding Becoming Exclusively on one Particular icts nation for defense equipment. As share of the arms deal That saw Iraq ACQUIRE Abrams tanks, the U.S. sanctioned the transfer of aussi 400 Stryker fighting vehicles to be used by elite units of the Iraqi Army.
DESPITE diplomatic Concerns Preventing the transfer of 180 M113A1 APCs from the UAE as a gift, Iraq was 173 M113 APCs Eventually Donated from Jordan, Pakistan and the UAE, while 713 and 400 M1151 HMMWVs M1114s Were Purchased for the Iraqi Army. Most recently, the Iraqi Army signed a $ 2.5bn contract with Ukraine for the delivery of 420 BTR-4 APCs, with deliveries currently Underway.
Replacing shock and awe Losses
Prior to the 2003 invasion, the country's air force comprised Mainly of Soviet-era aircraft Acquired from Russia. As the USAF exerted dominance over Iraq's airspace falling on Operation Shock and Awe, Iraqi Their Counterparts Were Decimated extent to year Such That When the air force Resumed operations in 2004, it consisted of just 35 staff.
Work was, however, QUICKLY Underway to re-equip the IAF to year Such That It Could extent defend the country's intérêts from the skies. The 2007 establishment of the Coalition Air Force Training Team (CAFTT) saw groundwork under Which the IAF is to be retrained, culminating in the IAF planning, executing and monitoring security icts first ground operation Between 25 March and 1 April 2008.
It is Planned That by 2015, 516 aircraft will included the Iraq Air Force, with the fleet due to Increase by a further Top 34 aircraft by 2018. Have Mentioned Specific helicopters Eurocopter EC 635 and included Bell ARH-70 models, while 24 T-6 Texan II aircraft are due to be Purchased aussi. A $ 3bn contract was signed in September 2011 for F-16 aircraft under FMS contract year from the U.S.. A second batch of 18 F-16s was Confirmed the next month, with deliveries scheduled to finish by 2014
The first F-16s are due to be Delivered in December 2013 and, until, Such a time, Iraq's air space Will Remain Largely unguarded. In preparation for Their delivery, six Iraqi pilots are currently Undergoing training in the U.S..
Corruption allegations hit Russian contracts
Analysis of the Iraqi Air Force's Lack of industry shows a Russian-built aircraft, with a $ 4.2bn contract signed in October 2012 sensationally canceled just a month later amid claims of corruption. Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki halted the deal he Suspected members of Effective his own team HAD accepted bits.
Russian military staff Refuted the allegations, Suggesting That Iraq's diet HAD come under pressure from Washington to cancel the deal That made Russia the country's second-largest arms supplier. The deal Itself HAD come under stringent criticism, with Iraqi MPs alleging the deal to be inadequate to icts STATED aim. In all 30 Mi-28 attack helicopters due to be Were Delivered to aid counter terrorism operations, with Those opposing the contract Stating Their belief que les Would money be better améliorer Spent the country's intelligence services.
Iraq has-beens Carefully treading in terms of defense procurement. With al-Maliki Stating que le country did not want to Become 'part of someone else's monopoly' Between year contracts Were shared array of countries Including the U.S., Ukraine, Serbia, Jordan, Germany and Czech Republic. At the time the contract was signed, defense analysts Expressed concern over U.S. perceptions of Iraq pressing ahead with the acquisition of Russian equipment, fueling suspicions in Moscow's leverage over Washington of procurement proceedings.
Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade Igor Korotchenko head Told the BBC que le cancellation of the deal was Unprecedented year in Russian history, before Confirming his belief que la U.S. Would not allow Iraq to go ahead with a contract size and scale of That. "As far as corruption is Concerned talk about, I think it's a smokescreen. I can not see any scope for corruption in the Iraq deal. I believe this is just a pretext and the true reason is Washington Applying pressure on Baghdad," added Korotchenko.
While the global community concerted efforts Has Made to resupply year in Iraq effective and efficient Manner, political wrangling and one-upmanship Threatens to derail this progress, Potentially Endangering the lives of Iraqi Civilians Attempting to put the past behind 'em. With insurgency still problematic in countries Including Afghanistan, it is imperative That thesis efforts are not disrupted by political machinations further Top.
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