delivery of U.S.-built Beechcraft spy planes to bolster its security forces, Defence Minister Abdel Qader Jassem Mohammed said Sept. 28, without saying how many were involved.
"The ministry has received in the last few days new American (Beechcraft) King Air surveillance aircraft," Mohammed said in a statement, adding that the aircraft flew over Baghdad for the first time Sept. 28.
Mohammed said the planes had been bought with Iraqi money, but he did not say how much was paid.
However, he said local pilots had been trained to fly the U.S.-built twin-engine turbo-prop aircraft and transmit live images to a control centre to help direct ground troops.
Earlier this month Mohammed confirmed that Iraq planned to buy F-16 jets from the U.S., and media reports said that Baghdad wanted 36 of the advanced fighters.
Such a deal would be expected to reduce Iraqi reliance on U.S. air power and possibly clear the way for a withdrawal of more U.S. troops from the country, where they currently number 144,000.
U.S. officials have previously maintained that they would have to keep fighter aircraft and helicopters in Iraq even after American combat troops leave.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Iraq Takes Delivery of U.S. Surveillance Planes
Iraq Takes Delivery of U.S. Surveillance Planes
(NSI News Source Info) September 29, 2008: BAGHDAD - Iraq has taken 
delivery of U.S.-built Beechcraft spy planes to bolster its security forces, Defence Minister Abdel Qader Jassem Mohammed said Sept. 28, without saying how many were involved.
"The ministry has received in the last few days new American (Beechcraft) King Air surveillance aircraft," Mohammed said in a statement, adding that the aircraft flew over Baghdad for the first time Sept. 28.
Mohammed said the planes had been bought with Iraqi money, but he did not say how much was paid.
However, he said local pilots had been trained to fly the U.S.-built twin-engine turbo-prop aircraft and transmit live images to a control centre to help direct ground troops.
Earlier this month Mohammed confirmed that Iraq planned to buy F-16 jets from the U.S., and media reports said that Baghdad wanted 36 of the advanced fighters.
Such a deal would be expected to reduce Iraqi reliance on U.S. air power and possibly clear the way for a withdrawal of more U.S. troops from the country, where they currently number 144,000.
U.S. officials have previously maintained that they would have to keep fighter aircraft and helicopters in Iraq even after American combat troops leave.
delivery of U.S.-built Beechcraft spy planes to bolster its security forces, Defence Minister Abdel Qader Jassem Mohammed said Sept. 28, without saying how many were involved.
"The ministry has received in the last few days new American (Beechcraft) King Air surveillance aircraft," Mohammed said in a statement, adding that the aircraft flew over Baghdad for the first time Sept. 28.
Mohammed said the planes had been bought with Iraqi money, but he did not say how much was paid.
However, he said local pilots had been trained to fly the U.S.-built twin-engine turbo-prop aircraft and transmit live images to a control centre to help direct ground troops.
Earlier this month Mohammed confirmed that Iraq planned to buy F-16 jets from the U.S., and media reports said that Baghdad wanted 36 of the advanced fighters.
Such a deal would be expected to reduce Iraqi reliance on U.S. air power and possibly clear the way for a withdrawal of more U.S. troops from the country, where they currently number 144,000.
U.S. officials have previously maintained that they would have to keep fighter aircraft and helicopters in Iraq even after American combat troops leave.
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