Through a long payment plan
Iraq to buy U.S. warplanes
Newsroom – The Iraqi government delegation in Washington has finalized a contract for the acquisition of 41 fighter jets, with provisions made for a long-term payment plan that will partly rely on U.S. financial credit.
In an interview with CNBC Arabia, Basim Al-Awadi, the spokesperson for the Iraqi government, announced that the aircraft will be delivered to Iraq in the coming months. “Part of the payment for these jets will be made in U.S. credits,” Awadi stated.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes representatives from the Kurdistan Region, has been in Washington for several days. The delegation has also held discussions with the U.S. President at the White House.
Previously, Kurdish authorities had voiced concerns over the provision of fighter jets to Iraq, fearing potential use against the Kurdistan Region in the future. However, there have been no reactions to the U.S. sale of warplanes to Iraq thus far. It also remains unclear if Republicans in Congress approve of such a move, given their sharp criticism of President Joe Biden’s Iraq policy and his hosting of Al-Sudani, amidst concerns over pro-Iran groups’ influence on the current Iraqi government.