Could that lack of an Air Force (or modern military kit) be attributed to Kuwait’s funding of al-Qaeda, Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamic groups? In Kuwaiti eyes, is it better to pay ransom to those groups than feel the effects of “Arab Spring” in Kuwait?
you are confusing Kuwait with Qatar I think…
I am honestly not sure what you are saying here. The Iran/Iraq war, Desert Storm, or the no fly zones? Mig-25s were killed during each and under a variety of circumstances.
during iran-iraq war = only one MiG25PDS was shot down during 7 years of combat (actually Iraqis consider that loss to have been an accident, but anyway).
During 1991 desert storm = none AFAIK (the two US kill claims NOT VERIFIED BY IRAQIS)
After desert storm = 1 shot down by F16 armed with the brand new AMRAAM… it was a “new surprise weapon”… but subsequently during the 1990s as Iraqis adjusted their tactics and systems the AMRAAMs became increasingly ineffective too and easy to bypass despite the Iraqis having very bad SA.
The only disadvantage of the MiG25 was in its sensors and armaments… with updated PESA radar + EW suite and new ARH long range AAMs (METEOR?) + Short-mid range (MICA?) missiles for the pilot as well as some improvements in fuel consumption / additional fuel… the MiG25 could still be a potent interceptor today. and it certainly has the electricity generating capacity and the internal space to accommodate a lot of upgrades… but you cannot “bolt on” stealth or low fuel consumption or other “modern” designs… hence the PAK-FA. But will the PAK FA maintain the climb rate and acceleration of the MiG25/31? doubtful.
unlike most of the other GCC states Kuwait is a functioning democracy with a rather loud parliament… so the country has a hard time passing resolutions approving budget increases for the military because populist politicians want all the money spent on social care, civilian construction, subsidised housing etc…
Also they have a treaty with the US… so nobody’s going to touch them now… even if they just keep a peashooter for defence… you may say they are the “exception” in the region for being rational and wise with their cash :very_drunk:
it really depends on the GCI available to each side more than anything to be honest.
they just don’t fly them very often. 😉
The qataris have tried to buy advanced Russian weapons as recently as last year (with the “caveat” that Russia doesn’t sell advanced weapons to Iraq). What they buy is mostly linked to regional and international politics rather than the weapons themselves.
gold plated F35s
Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki has said scheduled direct flights between Moscow and Baghdad are set to resume in August, Azzaman has reported. Direct air links are necessary to facilitate movement of entrepreneurs, industrialists and businessmen between the countries, al-Maliki said.
Confirmation of the final new Iraqi airways livery…
on the first new build 738.
and of course on the new build CRJ-900s
First shipment of Russian weapons will arrive within the next month. http://anbamoscow.com/aworld_politics/20130626/383495253.html
Also US ambassador confirms that Apaches will be delivered to Iraq starting year end 2013.
as multi-role light fighters they are quite comparable regardless of “arbitrary” generational categorisation IMHO. Yes the F16 was more advanced in FBW/aerodynamics etc… in terms of “capabilities” and size however they are comparable. Certainly the MiG23 would be a more difficult comparison since its a larger aircraft and was built in specialised fighter and attack variants exclusively. Agreed about the Viggen it is the closest analogue from the same generation 😉
Viggen yes.
MiG23 had two different versions (attack/fighter) and many of the mirage F1s were multi-role…
But ultimately the closest comparison is the F16 against which the mirage lost the arms deal of the century…
New or 2nd hand? As or Ds?
well the “loan” helos are second hand., the 24 are new build (so E version).
thickening the plot….
the US will sell 24 Ah-64 apaches to Iraq and will supply 6 loaned helicopters to Iraq in the interim by Q4 2013.
😡 🙂
I should look up the MiG25PDS HUD for the proper kill :highly_amused::dev2: