Iraq receives first batch of French Caracal multi-role helicopters
The Iraqi Ministry of Defense mentioned in a statement that these combat helicopters will enhance the Iraqi army's capabilities in the areas of tactical transport, support, and rescue operations.
The step is part of a deal reached with Airbus in September 2024 to purchase 12 Caracal H225M multi-role combat helicopters.
On April 30, the Iraqi Minister of Defense, Thabet Al-Abbasi, checked the first two helicopters at the airframer's headquarters in Marignane in southern France.
The new helicopters will take the place of the older Mil Mi-17s and will be employed for different tasks such as fire support, attack, tactical troop transport, special operations, and counter-terrorism.
Unknown numbers of the Iraqi Caracals will be modified with the HForce modular weapons system from Airbus Helicopters.
Iraq and the major European aviation company Airbus reached a deal in early September to buy 14 military helicopters, including 12 Caracal H225M multi-role combat helicopters.
A ceremony attended by the Iraqi Minister of Defense, officials from Airbus, and the French Ambassador to Iraq, Patrick Durel, was held in Baghdad to sign the deal, according to AFP.
During a meeting in May with Eric Chevalier, the former French ambassador to Iraq, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani stated that Iraq is open to productive collaboration with French industries, particularly in enhancing the defensive capabilities of its military forces.
In January 2023, Al-Sudani met in Paris with executives from Thales Group, Dassault Group, and Airbus to discuss a possible supply of military helicopters, radars, and Rafale aircraft to Baghdad.
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