Iraq, France discuss armament and regional security
Al-Abbasi, accompanied by a delegation of senior Iraqi military commanders and officers, met with Lecornu in the Ministry of Armed Forces in the French capital, Paris, according to a statement released by the Iraqi Defense Ministry.
The meeting addressed the security situation in the region and the role of the international coalition in Iraq.
In addition to the two countries' bilateral ties, especially those pertaining to security, the two sides discussed the role of the NATO mission in Iraq, particularly that France will assume the leadership of the NATO mission in Iraq in May.
Al-Abbasi and Lecornu discussed armament deals between Iraq and France to equip the Iraqi Army Aviation Command with Caracal helicopters and the Iraqi Air Defense Command with air defense radars.
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.
According to the head of Airbus Helicopters' Middle East, Arnaud Montalvo, the delivery of 12 H225M helicopters will begin in early 2025.
During a meeting held 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 collaborations with French businesses, especially when it comes to enhancing the defensive capabilities of the armed forces.
In January 2023, during a visit to Paris, Al-Sudani met with representatives of Thales Group, Dassault Group, and Airbus to discuss the possible supply of radars, Rafale aircraft, and military helicopters to Baghdad.
Additionally, the Iraqi and French air forces conducted joint exercises in Iraq last May, in which Rafale aircraft took part.
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