Iraq wants to buy armed drones, attack helicopters from Turkey

Iraq wants to purchase a multimillion-dollar arms package from Turkey, including armed drones, attack helicopters and advanced weapons, the country's defense minister told a local television station on Aug. 30. Juma said that Baghdad had "reached an agreement" with Ankara for the purchase of TB2 Bayraktar armed drones.

Tuesday August 31 2021 11:29 am

Iraqi Defense Minister Juma Inad (L) and Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar met at the International Defense Industry Fair 2021 in Istanbul on Aug 19.

Duvar English - Anadolu Agency

Iraq wants to purchase unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), attack helicopters and advanced weapons from Turkey, the country’s defense minister said Aug. 30.

"We asked Turkey for offers and contracts to purchase Bayraktar TB2 [drones], 12 T-129 ATAK helicopters and six unmanned aerial vehicle defense systems. We reached an agreement on the purchase of the Bayraktar UAV," Juma Inad told a local television station, according to Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency.

Inad reportedly said that the arms package “will be useful” in the fight against ISIS.

Attending the International Defense Industry Fair 2021 (IDEF'21) held in Istanbul on Aug. 19, Inad met with Turkey's National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.

Turkey and Iraq have been working to improve relations since Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al Kadhimi assumed office last year.

Even as Iraq has been routinely protesting Turkish incursions in the north of the country against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), al Kahdimi is said to be enjoying friendly relations with Ankara.