Latest news with #Al-Abbasi
Iraqi News
01-05-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraq receives first batch of France's Caracal aircraft
In a significant step toward strengthening its military capabilities, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense has officially received the first batch of two French-made Caracal helicopters. The delivery comes as part of a defense agreement between the Iraqi and French Ministries of Defense. At a ceremony marking the occasion, Iraq's Minister of Defense, Thabet Al-Abbasi, highlighted the deepening partnership between Iraq and France. He noted that the acquisition of the Caracal helicopters is part of a broader agreement aimed at equipping the Iraqi Army Aviation Command with advanced aircraft, which will be delivered in phases upon completion of their production. Al-Abbasi announced that the newly received helicopters are expected to be operational by June, aligning with the anniversary of the Army Aviation Command's founding. Photo: Iraqi Ministry of Defense The Caracal is regarded as a proficient aircraft in the globe, noted for its versatility in combat missions and ability to execute in adverse weather and terrain situations. The delivery underscores Iraq's ongoing commitment to modernizing its military infrastructure through international partnerships. The Ministry of Defense continues to pursue agreements that bring the latest military technologies and weaponry to Iraq, reflecting a broader strategy to bolster national defense and enhance the operational readiness of its armed forces.
Iraqi News
01-05-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Airbus delivers first pair of Caracal combat helicopters to Iraq
Baghdad ( – As part of a deal reached with Airbus in September 2024 to purchase 12 multi-role combat helicopters, Iraq received on Wednesday the first pair of Caracal H225M. The Iraqi Minister of Defense, Thabet Al-Abbasi, received the first two helicopters at the airframer's headquarters in Marignane in southern France on April 30, according to Flight Global, a global aviation community's primary source of news. The 11t-class H225Ms, which will be flown by the Iraqi Army Aviation Command, will take the place of the older Mil Mi-17s and be employed for a variety of tasks such as fire support, attack, tactical troop transport, special operations, and counter-terrorism. Unknown numbers of the Iraqi Caracals will be modified with the HForce modular weapons system from Airbus Helicopters. The step followed Al-Abbasi's meeting on Tuesday with the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sebastien Lecornu, in the Ministry of Armed Forces in the French capital, Paris, where they discussed different issues, including armament deals between the two countries. In addition to the helicopters' deal, Al-Abbasi and Lecornu discussed deals between Iraq and France to equip the Iraqi Air Defense Command with air defense radars. Iraq and the major European aviation company Airbus reached a deal in early September to buy 14 military helicopters, including 12 Caracal H225M multi-role combat helicopters. A ceremony attended by the Iraqi Minister of Defense, officials from Airbus, and the French Ambassador to Iraq, Patrick Durel, was held in Baghdad to sign the deal, according to AFP. During a meeting held in May with Eric Chevalier, the former French ambassador to Iraq, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani stated that Iraq is open to productive collaborations with French businesses, especially when it comes to enhancing the defensive capabilities of the armed forces. Al-Sudani met with officials from Thales Group, Dassault Group, and Airbus in Paris in January 2023 to discuss the potential delivery of military helicopters, radars, and Rafale aircraft to Baghdad. Additionally, Rafale fighter jets participated in joint exercises between the French and Iraqi air forces in Iraq in May.
Shafaq News
30-04-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Cooperation flies high: Iraq receives first Caracal helicopters from France
Shafaq News/ Iraq has received the first two Caracal helicopters from France under a bilateral defense agreement, the Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday According to the ministry's statement, Defense Minister Thabit Al-Abbasi confirmed the handover as part of a long-term contract between Baghdad and Paris to supply a full fleet of Caracal aircraft. 'The remaining helicopters will be delivered in stages as production concludes, with operational deployment scheduled for June to coincide with the Army Aviation Command's anniversary.' Al-Abbasi, after joining a test flight aboard one of the helicopters flown by an Iraqi crew, praised the rapid progress of Iraqi pilots and engineers, highlighting their 'swift mastery of advanced systems.' The Ministry described the Caracal as a high-performance, multi-role platform capable of operating in harsh conditions, emphasizing that the helicopters will significantly enhance the mobility, readiness, and effectiveness of Iraq's Army Aviation Force. تسلّمت وزارة الدفاع العراقية، اليوم الاربعاء ٣٠ نيسان ٢٠٢٥، طائرتين فرنسيتين نوع "كاراكال"، كدفعة أولى بناءً على العقد المبرم بين وزارتي الدفاع العراقية ونظيرتها الفرنسية.وألقى وزير الدفاع، السيد ثابت محمد سعيد العباسي @modministeriq ، كلمة بهذه المناسبة عبّر خلالها عن عمق… — وزارة الدفاع العراقية (@modmiliq) April 30, 2025
Iraqi News
29-04-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraq, France discuss armament and regional security
Baghdad ( – The Iraqi Minister of Defense, Thabet Al-Abbasi, and the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sebastien Lecornu, discussed on Tuesday different issues, including regional security and armament deals between the two countries. Al-Abbasi, accompanied by a delegation of senior Iraqi military commanders and officers, met with Lecornu in the Ministry of Armed Forces in the French capital, Paris, according to a statement released by the Iraqi Defense Ministry. The meeting addressed the security situation in the region and the role of the international coalition in Iraq. In addition to the two countries' bilateral ties, especially those pertaining to security, the two sides discussed the role of the NATO mission in Iraq, particularly that France will assume the leadership of the NATO mission in Iraq in May. Al-Abbasi and Lecornu discussed armament deals between Iraq and France to equip the Iraqi Army Aviation Command with Caracal helicopters and the Iraqi Air Defense Command with air defense radars. Iraq and the major European aviation company Airbus reached a deal in early September to buy 14 military helicopters, including 12 Caracal H225M multi-role combat helicopters. A ceremony attended by the Iraqi Minister of Defense, officials from Airbus, and the French Ambassador to Iraq, Patrick Durel, was held in Baghdad to sign the deal, according to AFP. According to the head of Airbus Helicopters' Middle East, Arnaud Montalvo, the delivery of 12 H225M helicopters will begin in early 2025. During a meeting held in May with Eric Chevalier, the former French ambassador to Iraq, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani stated that Iraq is open to productive collaborations with French businesses, especially when it comes to enhancing the defensive capabilities of the armed forces. In January 2023, during a visit to Paris, Al-Sudani met with representatives of Thales Group, Dassault Group, and Airbus to discuss the possible supply of radars, Rafale aircraft, and military helicopters to Baghdad. Additionally, the Iraqi and French air forces conducted joint exercises in Iraq last May, in which Rafale aircraft took part.
Iraqi News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
France to assume command of NATO mission next May, Iraqi Ministry of Defense
The Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday that the French Republic will assume command of the NATO mission in Iraq next May. "Defense Minister Thabit Al-Abbasi arrived in the French Republic on an official visit lasting several days, accompanied by a delegation of senior commanders and officers from the ministry," said the Ministry of Defense - received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA. Al-Abbasi met with his French counterpart, Sébastien Lecornu, at the headquarters of the French Ministry of Defense. During the meeting, several topics were discussed, most notably the regional security situation and the role of the international coalition in Iraq. They discussed the NATO mission in Iraq, especially since the French Republic will assume command of the NATO mission in Iraq next May. Bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly those related to security, were also discussed.
