What Use would a Su-27/F-15 sized fighter be to Iraq at this point in time ? They’d be better off getting a second hand M2K’s or F-16’s interoperable with USAF and with some decent Detection (pods) and PGM capability . Hand me down M2K’s or F-16’s would suffice .

i totally agree with you i am in favoure of the F-16 beacuase of its great A-G capability that the country needs now in its counter insurgancy fight, plus its good for coaperation with the USAF for joint excersize/refulling,,iraq will need 100-150 front line fighters with good A-G capabilty for balance to occure next to the islamic airforce of iran with mig-29/f-14A REMEMBER we fought them for 8 years in the air

If the Iraqi government wants Russian or French warplanes, then they should stand up for that decision and order them. They’ve been sticking to their guns regarding the current agreements for setting dates regarding US withdrawl and whatnot, so why would they settle for an aircraft they don’t want? My assumption would be that they are being offered some sort of cut-rate deal, perhaps that’s why they’re taking Vipers.

in the government where there is a parliment yes, but in the iraqi army/airforce where i still have close ties with the americans still call the shotsthe iraqi army cannot buy a 9 mm pistol with out the amaerican saying yes to it/ and they said no to french/russian jets as the IRAF was thinking of bringing back some pilots who are already familiar with that technology,,it apears the US has its own agenda for the IRAF which involves F-16 block 50-52 and also some ex-marine copra attack helicopters as well…thank you