Contrary to the arguments of Western experts that Baghdad’s statements regarding the acquisition of Russian air defense / missile defense systems are nothing more than an attempt to demonstrate independence from the United States, it became known that the Iraqi delegation was sent to Moscow to negotiate the upcoming purchase of Russian modern defense equipment, Eurasia Diary reports citing Bulgarian Military News.
According to Badr al-Ziyadi, a member of the parliamentary committee on security and defense, Iraq is sending delegations to Russia, China and Ukraine to discuss the purchase of modern air defense systems to protect its territory from any possible aggression or violation of sovereignty.
“Delegations intend to visit countries such as Russia, China and Ukraine to agree on the purchase of modern systems to protect Iraq’s airspace,” he told the As Sabah newspaper. “The Iraqi parliament is now forming a joint executive and legislative delegation to visit developed countries and sign contracts for the purchase of modern weapons,” reports Al Masdar News.
Experts say that Iraq may indeed be interested in buying long-range Russian S-400 air defense systems, Chinese medium-range air defense systems HQ-9 and Ukrainian short-range air defense systems.