Renaissance Iraq: Supplying icts re-armed forces,

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.

Saudi Arabia Warns Iraq That Failure To Accomodate Sunnis Risks Even More Violence And Sectarianism

Saudi Arabia  warned Iraq against sectarian extremism after two weeks of protests by Sunni Muslims against Baghdad's Shi'ite-led government.
The street protests across Iraq's Sunni heartland have strained the Arab state's fragile political balance and renewed fears of intensified sectarian strife.
"We are convinced that Iraq will not stabilize until it starts handling issues without sectarian extremism... Until these issues are addressed, we don't think there will ever be stability in Iraq, which pains us," Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal told a news conference in Riyadh.
Iraq's Arab majority is mostly Shi'ite but the country was dominated by Sunnis under former strongman Saddam Hussein and much of the fighting since he was deposed has fallen along sectarian lines.
Sunni Saudi Arabia has a tense relationship with Baghdad and senior princes have previously described Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki as being in hock to Shi'ite Iran, in comments to U.S. diplomats released by WikiLeaks.
Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, is locked in a struggle for regional influence with fellow OPEC-member Iran, backing opposing sides in Syria and Lebanon, where Shi'ite parties are allied to Tehran.

Iraqi Navy Gets U.S. Support Vessels While Libyan Navy Holds Talks to Increase Co-operation With French Navy

The Iraqi navy and the U.S. Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command marked the delivery of two 60-meter Offshore Support Vessels (OSV 1/ OSV 2) to the Iraqi navy in a ceremony at the Umm Qasr naval facility, Dec. 19.

The two OSVs, procured as part U.S. Navy’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program, will help reconstitute Iraq’s ability to enforce maritime sovereignty and security in the Northern Arabian Gulf.

“This occasion reflects the important ties that bind our governments and our commitment to supporting s strong coalition partnership that is based on mutual respect and understanding,” said Vice Adm. Kevin McCoy, commander, Naval Sea Systems Command. “Combined with the previously delivered Iraqi patrol boats, this acquisition program has offered another unique opportunity for cooperation between our countries.”

OSVs are multi-function vessels providing a wide range of capabilities to support Iraq’s oil production platforms. The vessels will provide transport support for crew changes and resupply to the platforms. Each OSV is equipped with a 30mm gun weapon system and outfitted with fast attack boats to defend it and the offshore platforms. The vessels each include a vertical replenishment deck to facilitate the transfer of supplies as needed.

RiverHawk Fast Sea Frames is the prime contractor for the OSV procurement, with Gulf Island Marine Fabricators manufacturing the hull and deckhouse, and outfitting the vessels.

Iraq Takes Delivery Of Super Hercs

Lockheed Martin delivered a C-130J Super Hercules to the Iraqi Air Force at formal ceremonies here today. This is one of the initial three aircraft of a total of six C-130Js ordered by Iraq.
The other two of these initial three aircraft departed yesterday for Iraq. The remaining three C-130Js will be delivered in 2013. The Iraqi Air Force will use the airlifters for intra-theater support for its troops and to provide humanitarian relief operations in various locations.
“Fifteen countries have already selected the C-130J Super Hercules to meet their airlift requirements”, said George Shultz, Lockheed Martin’s vice president and general manager for C-130 Programs. “Be it recapitalization of existing fleets, or new operators seeking proven airlift performance and capability, the C-130J is always the logical, low risk, affordable, proven answer.”
Acquisition of new transport aircraft will provide Iraq with the ability to operate seamlessly with U.S., NATO and coalition forces engaged in a wide range of operations and missions.

The Turkish Air Force strikes PKK in northern Iraq

The Turkish Air Force conducted a series of strikes against the bases of the fighters of the Workers Party of Kurdistan (PKK) in northern Iraq, local media reported Thursday quoting military sources.

The Turkish air force attacked anti-aircraft batteries, shelter and infrastructure Kurdish separatists in the regions of Zap, Avasin, and Metina Haftanin. Hunter-F-16 bombers were involved in the raids, according to Dogan news agency.

Until now, the Staff of the Turkish Army has not issued an official statement about the operation. No information on possible victims of the attack is not available for the moment.

The Kurdistan Workers Party has been fighting for nearly 25 years for the autonomy of the Kurds on part of Turkish territory. This conflict has already been about 40,000 deaths. The PKK terrorist organization has been recognized by the United Nations and the European Union.

Iraq seeks to acquire 30 Stryker vehicles from the US

The Iraqi Ministry of Defence (MoD) is planning to procure 30 General Dynamics-built Stryker infantry combat vehicles (ICVs) from the US Army, Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems public affairs spokeswoman Ashley Givens has revealed.

In an e-mailed response, Givens was quoted by Bloomberg Businessweek as saying that the US Army has been assembling cost and schedule information for a formal proposal, which will be submitted to Congress for approval following acceptance by the Iraqi Government.

Valued at an estimated $25m, the deal covers delivery of 30 Stryker vehicles integrated with sensors, test equipment and communications gear for efficient detection of nuclear fallout or chemical and biological agents.

An unidentified US embassy official told the news agency that the deal forms part of a potential $7bn foreign military sale (FMS) package for Baghdad, which was agreed by the US Government in the last decade.

Iraqi Air Force signs contract for second batch of F-16 fighters

The Iraqi Government has signed a contract with the US for the acquisition of a second batch of 18 F-16 C/D Block 52 Fighting Falcon multi-role fighter jets, the country's acting defence minister Sadoun al-Dulaimi has revealed.

Speaking after a meeting with US officials in Baghdad, al-Dulaimi told Reuters that the new contract forms part of an original multi-billion deal agreed between the two countries for procurement of a total of 36 aircraft to help rebuild the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF).

"The contract is no different from the first contract in terms of the technical and financial details," al-Dulaimi added.

An unidentified US embassy spokesman in Baghdad also told the news agency that a letter of acceptance (LOA) for the second batch of aircraft had been presented to Iraq by the US Government.

"The United States would welcome Iraqi acceptance as another important step in our growing bilateral security assistance relationship," the spokesman added.

The IQAF, which is considered as the most ill-equipped branch of the country's armed forces, had signed an approximately $3bn deal with US for delivery of 18 F-16 aircraft, including 12 C and six D models, along with engines and support equipment in September 2012.

Iraq to Buy Czech L-159 Trainer Jets - Prime Minister

The Iraqi government intends to buy Czech-made Aero Vodochody L-159 advanced trainer/light-attack jets, Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Thursday in Prague after talks with his Czech counterpart Petr Necas, local TV reported.

"Further talks about purchasing the L-159 will take place on Friday between the Iraqi and Czech defense ministries," he said. Talks about an L-159 purchase between Baghdad and Prague have been underway for at least three years, acording to Defense Industry Daily.

The Czech government hopes to sell Iraq up to 24 of the jets, which Defense Industry Daily says are used aircraft which were operated for a short time by the Czech Air Force. Iraq used to operate the jet's predecessor, the L-39 Albatros.

Iraqi Army HERCULES Recovery Vehicle Contract

The Iraqi Army is getting eight new M88A2 HERCULES armoured recovery vehicles from manufacturer BAE Systems through a $31.8m contract announced on 8 October 2012.

The M88A2 HERCULES (Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift Evacuation System) is one of three versions of the M88 armoured recovery vehicle range (besides the standard M88 and the M88A1).

The M88 dates back to the 1960s, while the M88A1 emerged in the late 1970s and the M88A2 HERCULES is a 1990s upgrade. M88 variants have an extensive combat history, having been deployed in Vietnam, the Gulf region and Kosovo and more examples have served with the US Army than with any other military user.

M88A2 HERCULES Recovery Vehicle

Compared to the M88 and M88A1, the M88A2 HERCULES recovery vehicle is larger, boasts more effective armour and, using its main winch, can lift loads weighing up to 70 tonnes. Other key M88A2 HERCULES features include power-assisted braking enabling loads up to M1A1 tank weight to be towed and augmented electrical and hydraulics systems.

Moscow signed a contract arming 4.2 billion with Baghdad

The Russia announced Tuesday, October 9 have signed with Iraq of arms contracts totaling more than $ 4.2 billion, and again becoming a supplier of the most important weapons in this country, after the United States. This announcement comes as Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki , on a visit to Moscow.

According to a statement from the Russian government, Iraqi delegations made several visits to Russia this year to negotiate a series of arms contracts signed during the second half of 2012.

"The members of the delegation are familiar with Russian military production, discussed technical and commercial proposals for the delivery of Russian equipment [...] and signed a series of contracts for more than $ 4.2 billion dollars " , 3.3 billion euros, he wrote.

The document states that the negotiations took place in April, and in July and August but did not indicate what type of weapon it is. Only the Russian business daily Vedomosti mentioned including 30 helicopters Mi-28 and 42 systems-air missiles Pantsir-S1.

RENEWING LINKS WITH IRAQ

Russia seeks to revive the lost ties with the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, Iraq was an ally during the Soviet era. "Russian-Iraqi ties in the past were very close and strong. I 'm sure it will be so in the future. There is a willingness of both parties to develop and strengthen our relations " , Maliki said, according to Russian news agencies.

The energy sector should also be addressed, the Russian giants Gazprom and Lukoil eg having invested heavily in the Iraqi oil sector. According to Russian news agencies, the first Russian private oil company, Lukoil, announced Tuesday that Iraq has given its approval to a draft of its consortium with Japan's Inpex Corp. to explore a block with an area of 5 500 km ² in the south.

The conflict in Syria should also be at the heart of the visit of Mr. Maliki. Russia, traditional ally of Damascus, has blocked any binding resolution to date against the regime of Bashar al-Assad , in fact seeks support against the West.

Iraqi Training to Continue Uninterrupted, Pentagon Press Secretary Says

U.S. military training for Iraq’s security forces will continue uninterrupted despite Congress’s failure to approve money for it in a temporary spending bill now funding government operations, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said Oct. 2.

When Congress approved a short-term spending bill last month to keep the government running in the new fiscal year that began on Monday, the measure left out funding for the roughly 200 U.S. troops in Iraq who are training Iraqi forces.

Little told reporters during a Pentagon news conference that Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, approved U.S. Central Command’s request for $1.7 million for continued training through the Combatant Commander Initiative Fund, which is money already in the Pentagon budget.

“This is a temporary bridge while we seek a longer-term way ahead in the [fiscal 2013] national defense authorization, which we expect to be taken up by Congress later this year,” he said.

A second batch of 62 Ukraine-made BTR-4 armoured vehicles ready to be send in Iraq.

Within the large-scale Ukrainian-Iraqi contract on supplies of Ukrainian military equipment to the Republic of Iraq the second batch of BTR-4 (wheeled armored personnel carrier), containing 62 units, was loaded to the Odesa Commercial Sea Port for further marine transportation. The shipment is expected to be completed by September 13 whereafter the ship will sail to the destination country. The expected time of arrival to the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr is early October of 2012. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Iraq in Ukraine Shorsh Khalid Said, who in the interview to Ukrainian journalists highly ranked the Ukrainian BTR-4 armored personnel carrier, was in attendance at the shipment process. "We are very pleased to accept the second batch of Ukrainian BTR-4. This is a powerful modern vehicle, the quality of which satisfies Iraqi specialists," said the Ambassador to the press.

The Second Batch of BTR-4 Armoured Personnel Carriers Shipped to Iraq from Odessa Seaport

On 12 September a batch of 62 BTR-4 armoured personnel carriers (APC) started to be loaded on a ship at the Odessa Seaport in order to be transported by sea to Iraq.

On 13 September the loading is to be completed, and the vessel will go to the country of destination. The vessel is to arrive at the Iraqi port Um Qasr early in October 2012. The loading procedure was supervised by the Ambassador of Iraq in Ukraine Shorsh Khalid Sayed.

“We are very glad to accept the second batch of Ukrainian BTR-4s. This is a modern powerful vehicle, and the Iraqi experts are satisfied with its capabilities”, the ambassador said to Ukrainian journalists. “The situation in the Middle East is difficult, and Iraq does need these APCs. We have been fighting against terrorism, in particular, against Al Qaeda for seven years already, and these 62 vehicles will help us increase the level of security. Our relations with Ukraine are successfully developing. By receiving the second batch of the BTRE-4s we have reached a new stage of cooperation. We hope that by the end of this year we will receive the third batch of BTR-4s, because the contract is successfully fulfilled due to efforts of both sides”, said also Shorsh Khalid Sayed.

He emphasized the fact that the current Minister of Defence of Ukraine Dmitry Solomatin was doing his best to make this contract successful starting from the first day of his work at the State Enterprise “Ukrspecexport” and then, at the State Enterprise “Ukroboronprom”.

“It is also necessary to thank the top manager of State Enterpri

Explosions kill 58 in Iraq, French consulate hit

BAGHDAD: At least 58 people were killed in attacks across Iraq on Sunday, including a car bomb outside a French consulate.
The most serious of the bombings, blasts and shootings on Sunday happened near the city of Amara, 300 km south of Baghdad, when two car bombs exploded outside a Shia shrine and a market place, killing at least 16 people, officials said.
“So far 16 corpses were brought to the hospital, and more than 100 people were wounded,” said Sayid Hasanain, a local health official.
With its main hospital overflowing with injured from the attacks, mosques in Amara used prayer loudspeakers to call for blood donations.
Overnight in Dujail, 50 km north of Baghdad, gunmen and a suicide bomber driving a car attacked a military base, killing 11 soldiers and injuring seven, police said.
Later on Sunday, a car bomb killed eight people queuing for jobs as police guards for the Iraqi North Oil Company in the flashpoint city of Kirkuk, 250 km north of Baghdad, police said.
Kirkuk was hit by several other blasts. A car bomb and a bomb packed into a motorcycle detonated outside a crime investigation office, killing seven and wounding 40.

Former Army employee admits taking Iraq kickbacks

A former Army Corps of Engineers employee pleaded guilty Friday to pocketing nearly $3.7 million in kickbacks for providing confidential information to two men working for companies awarded government contracts in Iraq.
Federal prosecutors said John Alfy Salama Markus took bribes from men whose companies were awarded more than $50 million in Iraqi reconstruction contracts. Salama Markus worked for the corps at Contingency Operating Base Speicher in Tikrit, Iraq, from 2005 to 2008 and dealt with oversight of awarded contracts.
Salama Markus pleaded guilty to wire fraud, money laundering and failing to file a U.S. Treasury report. He faces up to 35 years in prison and $750,000 in fines. He will be sentenced Jan. 8.

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Salama Markus, 40, and four other men were charged in a 54-count indictment last year.
Salama Markus used his job to "manipulate and influence the bidding, selection, award and administration" of reconstruction contracts, prosecutors said in court documents. Markus would supply the men with confidential information about bidding and finances and approve and modify invoices. In return, prosecutors said, Salama Markus received a cut of the awarded money. He documented payments in emails and spreadsheets found on his home computer, prosecutors said.

Iraq’s First Super Hercules Takes to the Skies

The first of six C-130J Super Hercules for the Iraqi Air Force recently completed its first flight here.

The Iraqi Air Force intends to use the C-130J for intra-theater support of its troops and humanitarian relief operations in various locations. These new transport aircraft will provide Iraq with the ability to operate seamlessly with U.S., NATO and coalition forces.

1,000 British Troops Are Expected To Be Investigated For War Crimes In Iraq

Hundreds of British troops to be questioned over 'weak' war crime allegations

Up to 1,000 British troops are expected to be investigated for crimes allegedly committed during the Iraq war, it can be revealed. 

Investigators with the Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) have already identified more than 100 serving and former members of the armed forces who they want to interview about the alleged torture of Iraqi civilians.

But the number under investigation is expected to rise rapidly over the next 12 months as IHAT detectives begin reviewing the evidence from two public inquiries into alleged war crimes.

One, the al-Sweady Inquiry into the so-called Battle of Danny Boy in 2004, has already identified more than 500 troops who will have to give evidence and who will also be interviewed by IHAT.

Members of the SAS, the SBS, interrogators from a unit called the Joint Support Group, medics, senior officers and hundreds of soldiers are expected to be questioned.

British lawyers acting for the Iraqis claim the abuse took place between 2003 and 2008, when many civilians were detained on suspicion of being in Shia militia groups.

The vast majority of the allegations are based on witness statements by Iraqis, most of whom are seeking financial compensation from Britain, say senior sources.

Iraqi Air Force F-16 Training Takes Off in Arizona

While the Republic of Iraq anticipates an initial delivery of F-16 Fighting Falcons in September 2014, the pilots who will fly them embark on a historic partnership with the Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd Fighter Wing here to learn how to fly the multipurpose fighter.

Already, two Iraqis have joined aspiring fighter pilots from the United States, Singapore, Poland, Denmark, Japan and the Netherlands at the U.S. Air Force's international F-16 schoolhouse at Tucson International Airport. A delegation of senior Iraqi Air Force officers visited the unit Aug. 30 to assess their students' progress and reaffirm their partnership with the desert fighter wing.

"We have an opportunity to work with a critical partner in a very strategic region of world," said Col. Mick McGuire, 162nd Fighter Wing commander. "They have an opportunity to see what a professional operation we are and as a result of their visit I think we'll have a long-standing relationship with the Iraqi air force -- at least through 2020 -- training F-16 pilots and providing a true coalition warfighting partner for the United States and an ability for them to defend their country for years to come."

In 1986, Iraqi air force Brig. Gen. Abdulhussein Lafta Ali Ali flew Soviet-era MiG-21s but said he dreamed of flying the F-16.

Now visiting Tucson as a senior officer in his air force's operations directorate, he flew with American pilots to experience the F-16's capabilities and the unique demands of U.S. fighter training.

Iraq announces 21 executions in single day

Iraq has executed 21 people convicted of terror-related charges, including three women, on the same day, a spokesman said on Tuesday, bringing to 91 the number of people executed so far this year.
The executions come despite a call from the UN’s human rights chief for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty in Iraq, amid concerns over the lack of transparency in court proceedings.
“The justice ministry carried out 21 executions against those condemned of terrorist charges, including three women terrorists,” Haidar al-Saadi said in a text message. He did not give any further details.
A justice ministry official said the executions were carried out on Monday morning.
Iraq has carried out several mass executions in 2012, including one in which 14 people were put to death on February 7, and another in which 17 were executed on January 31.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay expressed shock earlier this year at the number of executions, criticising the lack of transparency in court proceedings and calling for an immediate suspension of the death penalty.

Iraq to get first US F-16s in Sept 2014

The first batch of F-16 fighter jets bought by Iraq are due to be delivered in two years, US officials said on Tuesday as the top American military officer was on a visit to Baghdad.

Washington agreed last year to sell 36 F-16 jets to Baghdad in a multi-billion-dollar deal aimed at increasing the capabilities of Iraq's fledgling air force, a weak point in its national defences.

The first batch of those F-16s are due to be handed over to Iraq in September 2014, US officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

They said that thus far, the United States had agreed to deals worth $12 billion with Iraq, covering arms sales and training. Iraq had also expressed interest in buying radar and air defence systems, they added.