Iraq to overhaul air defenses over next three years: Officials

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq has set three years to modernize its air defenses, as the US-led global coalition’s mission nears its end and the country faces repeated drone and missile strikes amid the regional conflict, officials said Monday.

Defense ministry spokesperson Yahya Rasool, told state media that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaid has directed that the timeframe for developing the air defense systems be shortened from six years to three years.

“The ministry is currently working on completing high-, medium-, and short-range missile and radar networks through continuous communication and technical meetings with reputable international companies,” Rasool said.

Since assuming office, Zaidi has sought to clamp down on violations of Iraqi sovereignty, coming as the country has been repeatedly targeted by Iranian strikes on US military bases and Kurdish opposition groups, as well as US, Israeli, and Saudi strikes on pro-Iran Iraqi militias.

While Iran and Iran-backed armed groups claim the attacks chiefly target US interests in the Kurdistan Region, vital infrastructure has also been struck, including oil and gas facilities and residences of the Region’s leaders.

Zaidi’s spokesperson Sabah al-Numan said that by updating the equipment to an integrated system with the latest monitoring and early warning technologies, Iraq’s military can counter drones and missiles at various altitudes.

The goal includes “strengthening the strategic infrastructure and economic pillars of the state, from oil facilities and airports to command and control centers, as well as consolidating the pillars of effective sovereignty and averting any need for external security arrangements,” Numan added.

The US-led anti-Islamic State (ISIS) coalition has played a key role in intercepting drones and missiles in Iraqi skies.

At Baghdad’s invitation, the coalition entered Iraq in 2014 to help repel the ISIS advance across the country. Under an agreement between Washington and Baghdad, the coalition is set to complete its withdrawal from all Iraqi territory by September 30.