
Iraq receives first batch of France's Caracal aircraft
The delivery comes as part of a defense agreement between the Iraqi and French Ministries of Defense.
At a ceremony marking the occasion, Iraq's Minister of Defense, Thabet Al-Abbasi, highlighted the deepening partnership between Iraq and France. He noted that the acquisition of the Caracal helicopters is part of a broader agreement aimed at equipping the Iraqi Army Aviation Command with advanced aircraft, which will be delivered in phases upon completion of their production.
Al-Abbasi announced that the newly received helicopters are expected to be operational by June, aligning with the anniversary of the Army Aviation Command's founding.
Photo: Iraqi Ministry of Defense
The Caracal is regarded as a proficient aircraft in the globe, noted for its versatility in combat missions and ability to execute in adverse weather and terrain situations.
The delivery underscores Iraq's ongoing commitment to modernizing its military infrastructure through international partnerships. The Ministry of Defense continues to pursue agreements that bring the latest military technologies and weaponry to Iraq, reflecting a broader strategy to bolster national defense and enhance the operational readiness of its armed forces.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Shafaq News
32 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Iraqi MP: No fire trucks in Kut when deadly blaze erupted
Shafaq News – Wasit Wasit province had no firefighting tankers on the ground when flames engulfed the commercial center in Kut, leaving dozens of people dead, Iraqi MP Youssef Al-Kalabi revealed on Sunday. Speaking with Shafaq News, Al-Kalabi explained that the province's three main fire tankers had been withdrawn before the tragedy—one sent to Syria, and the other two to Basra, adding, 'All of this happened behind the governor's back.' The blaze, which struck on Thursday, killed nearly 70 people, including women and children. Authorities later confirmed that the shopping complex had been built illegally and in violation of fire safety regulations. In response, the Interior Ministry shuttered 1,118 unsafe projects across the country within 48 hours. Blaming the collapse in crisis response on 'unqualified leadership,' the MP confirmed the formation of an investigative committee, with findings expected in the coming days. He also revealed that the judiciary is looking into potential criminal responsibility. 'There are sensitive details we cannot share at this stage,' he noted, warning that the tragedy is already being exploited for political purposes. Al-Kalabi further announced that Parliament's Presidency has approved an emergency session for Monday to discuss the incident and examine its causes.


Rudaw Net
an hour ago
- Rudaw Net
Iran says agreed to a new round of nuclear talks with E3
Also in Iran Iran frees teen held for reciting Kurdish poetry, father still detained Iran expands crackdown on alleged spies, collaborators with Israel, US Trump says scheduled new nuclear talks with Iran Pezeshkian accuses Israel of assasination attempt, 'destroying' US-Iran diplomacy A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran has agreed to a new round of negotiations on its nuclear program with Britain, France, and Germany, semi-official media said on Sunday. 'Tehran has reached an agreement with the three European countries - Germany, France, and the United Kingdom - to hold negotiations on Iran's nuclear issue,' Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday, citing a ' knowledgeable source.' While the sides have agreed in principle to hold talks, discussions over the time, location, and host country remain ongoing, it noted. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday said Western countries must act responsibly and abandon 'worn-out policies of threat and pressure,' including the snap-back mechanism, which he claimed has 'no moral or legal basis,' if they seek a new round of nuclear negotiations. He made the remarks in a phone call with his British, French, and German counterparts, as well as EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. During the call, the Europeans told the Iranian top diplomat of "their determination to use the 'snapback' mechanism – which allows for the reimposition of all international sanctions against Iran – in the absence of concrete progress" towards a deal on Tehran's nuclear program "by the end of the summer," the French foreign ministry said. Last month, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that the Europeans would be "justified" in seeking a snapback of UN sanctions lifted under a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major powers, later abandoned by US President Donald Trump. "Without a firm, tangible, and verifiable commitment from Iran, we will do so no later than the end of August," he told reporters. Iran and the US had held five rounds of Oman-mediated indirect nuclear talks before Israel attacked the Islamic republic last month, which effectively ended the negotiations, especially after Trump joined in striking Iran. Washington on June 24 brokered a ceasefire to the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei later declared victory, claiming that Trump had exaggerated the destruction caused by US military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers - formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) - Iran agreed to curb its nuclear enrichment program in exchange for much-needed relief from crippling sanctions. But the deal began unraveling in 2018 when Washington, under Trump's first term, unilaterally withdrew from the accord and reimposed biting sanctions on the Islamic republic, which in turn began rolling back on its nuclear commitments.


Rudaw Net
2 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi top court rejects lawsuits against major US-KRG energy deals
Also in Iraq Iraq arrests 11 local officials over deadly mall fire Iraqi top court to hear complaints against KRG-US energy deals Iraq parliament to probe drone attacks on Kurdistan Region Duhok crowned Iraq Cup champions A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's Federal Supreme Court on Sunday dismissed two lawsuits seeking to overturn major multibillion-dollar oil and gas contracts signed in May between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and two American companies, Western Zagros and HKN Energy. The deals, aimed at developing the Miran and Topkhana gas fields, have drawn criticism from Baghdad. The court rejected both cases, with one being 'annulled' and the other 'dismissed,' meaning the contracts remain valid and enforceable, it said in a statement. The lawsuits were filed separately by Iraqi lawmakers Raed al-Maliki and Bassem al-Gharibawi, who argued the agreements violated the Iraqi constitution and posed a threat to 'public funds and property.' The court, however, found the claims legally unsubstantiated and did not rule in favor of nullifying the deals. American firms HKN Energy and WesternZagros signed two major oil and gas deals in May worth $110 billion over their lifespans in the Kurdistan Region. The deals were signed during Prime Minister Masrour Barzani's visit to the US. The deals - while welcomed by Erbil and Washington - prompted a lawsuit from the federal oil ministry, which claimed the contracts violated federal court rulings and the Iraqi constitution. The KRG defended the agreements as extensions of existing contracts that benefit all of Iraq. The complainants further demanded that the Kurdistan Region be prohibited from signing any oil and gas contracts without the consent of the federal government, according to the top court. The deals align with the KRG's Runaki initiative - meaning 'light' in Kurdish - which aims to provide 24-hour electricity across the Region by the end of 2026. The program has already been launched in several cities and neighborhoods.