Latest news with #MustafaAati
Rudaw Net
21-04-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Iraq showcases locally made surveillance drones at defense expo in Baghdad
Also in Iraq Iraqi Shiite politicians at odds over Sharaa's visit to Baghdad KRG, Iraqi officials meet with oil companies to discuss restarting Kurdish oil exports From Russia to Jordan, cultural performances dazzle in Babil Congo-Crimean fever kills two in Kirkuk A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's Defense Industries Commission (DIC) exhibited domestically produced drones during a two-day security and defense exhibition in Baghdad to bolster border surveillance and internal security. 'We have started building drones used for surveillance,' DIC Chairman Mustafa Aati told Rudaw during the second day of the event on Sunday. The drone weighs 60 kilograms, has a wingspan of 4.8 meters, and can fly at distances between one to three kilometers. It can remain airborne for five to six hours, cover a range of around 80 kilometers, and be deployed within 20 minutes. 'We also have contracts with security agencies to increase it [drone production], which will be made use of for border surveillance and internal security,' he added. 'We have the right to build drones within the framework of the objectives that the security forces need.' Around 150 domestic and international companies participated in the exhibition. Among them, Iran displayed a range of drones and both heavy and light weapons, expressing readiness to expand support for Iraq. According to Iranian political and security analyst Amir Mousavi, who spoke to Rudaw at the event, Iran's participation signals that it has 'opened the door to providing assistance with all its military and security capabilities, especially in the areas of border security, electronic issues, and the supply of drones, to control sensitive and remote areas on the border, as well as desert and mountainous regions." In late March, the DIC announced it had saved $700 million over the past two years by manufacturing weapons and ammunition locally, reducing reliance on imports. In September 2019, Iraq's legislature passed a bill to establish the DIC with aims of expanding military production. Iraq's interior minister last September showcased the first batch of domestically produced armored vehicles manufactured by the commission. Halkawt Aziz contributed to this report.
Iraq Business
01-04-2025
- Business
- Iraq Business
Iraq Expands Domestic Arms Production, Saves $700m
By John Lee. Iraq's Defense Industries Commission (DIC) has announced plans to expand its domestic arms manufacturing capabilities in 2025, with a focus on mortars, field rocket launchers, and artillery systems. The Chairman of the DIC told state-run Iraqi News Agencey (INA) that the move is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and strengthen Iraq's defense industry. Mustafa Aati said the commission's factories are developing new light weapons, medium ammunition, and heavy artillery shells, alongside increased production of mortars, rocket launchers, and artillery. He added that the shift to local production is already delivering significant cost savings; contracts signed in 2023 and 2024 for domestically produced weapons and ammunition have saved the Iraqi government over $700 million. (Source: INA)
Rudaw Net
30-03-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Iraq saves $700 million through local arms production: DIC
Also in Iraq Iraqi strike kills two ISIS suspects in Anbar Kurdish officials slam unequal police recruitment in Kirkuk KRG denies Development Road deal with Baghdad Gorran's two factions clash over planned party congress A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's Defense Industries Commission (DIC) announced on Sunday that it saved $700 million over the past two years by locally producing weapons and ammunition instead of relying on imports. 'The volume of contracts with the [Military Industrialization] Authority for the local production of weapons and ammunition for the Iraqi Armed Forces in 2023 and 2024 contributed to saving more than $700 million,' DIC Chairman Mustafa Aati told Iraqi state media. He added that the preserved funds were 'allocated for the procurement of weapons and ammunition from foreign sources.' Aati added that 'the factories of the Military Industrialization Authority are working on producing new types of light weapons, medium-caliber ammunition, heavy artillery, mortars, field rocket launchers, and artillery throughout 2025.' In September 2019, Iraq's legislature passed a bill to establish the DIC with aims of expanding military production. Iraq's interior minister last September showcased the first batch of domestically produced armored vehicles manufactured by the commission. Although Iraq remains heavily reliant on arms imports, particularly from the United States, the country has experience in producing light weaponry and upgrading Russian-made missiles. Official data indicates that the US provided Iraq with approximately $13.8 billion in aid from 2015 to 2023, including around $430 million in 2023. These funds covered security assistance, development programs, and humanitarian support. With Donald Trump's return to the US presidency in 2025, his administration is set to reassess funding priorities. The US-led Global Coalition Against ISIS, formed in 2014 to support Iraq's fight against the terrorist group, provided military assistance, intelligence sharing, and training to Iraqi forces. While the territorial defeat of ISIS was declared in 2017, coalition forces remained in Iraq at Baghdad's request to assist in counterterrorism operations. In September, Iraq and the US jointly announced an agreement to end the coalition's combat mission against ISIS by September 2025.
Iraqi News
30-03-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraq Saves $700 Million through Domestic Arms Production
Baghdad – INA Defense Industries Commission (DIC) announced plans to expand domestic arms manufacturing in 2025, with the production of mortars, field rocket launchers, and artillery systems as part of a broader strategy to enhance self-sufficiency in defense manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. DIC Chairman Mustafa Aati told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the commission's factories are developing new types of light weapons, medium ammunition, and heavy artillery shells, in addition to ramping up production of mortars, rocket launchers, and artillery systems in the coming year. The shift toward local production is already yielding significant financial benefits. Contracts signed in 2023 and 2024 for domestically produced weapons and ammunition have saved the Iraqi government over $700 million, funds that would have otherwise been spent on foreign arms procurement.
