During the World Defense Show in Riyadh, which took place March 6-9, the General Authority for Military Industries, or GAMI, announced it approved two local projects for the THAAD air defense system: the first for manufacturing missile interceptor launchers, and the second for producing the missile interceptor canisters.

In October 2017, the U.S. State Department approved a foreign military sale to Saudi Arabia for THAAD and related support, equipment and services for an estimated cost of $15 billion. About a year later, in November 2018, the kingdom signed a letter of offer and acceptance with the United States for Lockheed’s THAAD.

The projects are part of Saudi Arabia’s effort to domestically spend 50% of its money set aside for defense equipment and services by the year 2030, according to a statement by GAMI.

“Along this localization journey, and with the robust relations with our international defense partners, air domain defense readiness is expected to be greatly enhanced,” said Gasem Al-Maimani, GAMI’s deputy governor, said in a statement.

“Lockheed Martin is engaged with its Saudi partners across several capacity-building programs that are formulated to contribute to the realization of the country’s development goals. This announcement will significantly boost global and regional security while supporting job creation and economic prosperity in Saudi Arabia,” said Joseph Rank, chief executive for Lockheed Martin in Saudi Arabia and Africa.

During the inaugural World Defense Show, GAMI said, it signed 22 industrial partnerships with domestic and international defense companies, for a total value of 29.7 billion riyals (U.S. $7.9 billion). The agreements included the direct purchase of military systems, the building of production lines, the transfer of know-how and training, and the localization of technologies and services. Saudi companies are involved in 46% of the total value of deals made during the show.

Neither Lockheed Martin nor GAMI responded to Defense News’ inquiries for further information.

Advanced Communications and Electronics Systems Co. signed an agreement with China Electronics Technology Group Corp., with the two companies announcing their tie-up during the World Defense Show in Riyadh, which took place March 6-9.

The joint venture, named Aerial Solutions, will see CETC establish a research and development center and create a team that would manufacture different types of UAV systems. These are to include communications, flight-control, camera, radar and wireless-detection systems.

CETC specializes in manufacturing security electronic information systems, including electronics equipment, communication devices and software.

The new venture will also focus on developing electric-powered vertical-takeoff-and-landing drones, anti-drone solutions, analytics, helicopter products and radar systems.

Aerial Solutions aims to protect infrastructure and localize technological innovation through scientific research, manufacturing and training national engineers, according to a company statement.

ACES said on Twitter that the move is in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to grow local industry.

This is not the first time China and Saudi Arabia signed a contract allowing the kingdom to procure Chinese unmanned aerial systems. In 2017, Saudi Arabia ordered Chinese-made Wing Loong II drones. Chinese news agency Xinhua described the deal as the country’s largest-ever arms export.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. also previously signed a partnership with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology to build a manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia for the CH drone class.

CETC took part in the World Defense Show this year — the expo’s inaugural launch. Other Chinese companies at the show included China North Industries Group Corp. Limited (NORINCO), China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corp. (CATIC), Star Vision, and China Aerospace Long March International Trading Co. (ALIT).

Correction: Cynax has already completed facial recognition work and have reportedly moved on to working on an additional risk analysis score technology.

ABU DHABI — Unmanned ground and aerial systems developed by Emirati companies dominated the tradeshow floor at the country’s unmanned systems expo UMEX, which took place Feb. 21-23, but foreign businesses also pitched their wares.

Defense conglomerate Edge Group unveiled the Scorpio-B unmanned ground vehicle, developed by its subsidiary Adasi. The UGV featured twin 40mm grenade launchers, pan-tilt-zoom cameras, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensors, and a 7IS remote controlled weapon station made of 80% 3D-printed material.

The weapon station weighs less than 40 kilograms (88 pounds) and can carry 50 rounds of munition, according to Saeed Al Mansoori, the CEO of Halcon, another Edge subsidiary. “Now we are in the demonstration phase until we sign a contract,” he told Defense News.

Beside the Edge booth, private company Ahmed Almazrouei Group showcased several of its UGVs, including a hybrid-powered robot that can be controlled from a distance of up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) and can be equipped with weapon systems. The business, which is also based in the United Arab Emirates, also brought surveillance and training ground vehicles as well as laser-guided autonomous shooting systems.

“The hybrid robot was tested with the UAE armed forces in harsh conditions in the country, during [high temperatures in] July … and in the desert. It has entered production lines to produce 100 systems,” Ahmed Almazrouei, the company’s CEO, told Defense News.

Two combat drones were also on display: the MQ-9 SeaGuardian by American company General Atomics, and the Bayraktar TB-2 by Turkey’s Baykar Makina. The latter was a full-scale mockup and appeared alongside other drones produced by the company.

The full-scale SeaGuardian configuration of the MQ-9 featured maritime surface radar technology and an Emirati flag on its tail. The UAE in January 2021 signed off on a deal to purchase 18 MQ-9s from the United States, but it hasn’t been finalized amid disagreements between the two countries over F-35 fighter jets that are part of the package.

Unmanned systems meant for target practice were also at UMEX. UAE-based company Etimad unveiled four different types showcased with a truck-mounted drone launcher. Italian firm Leonardo exhibited the Mirach 40 target drone.

Houbara — a joint venture between the UAE’s Middle East General Enterprises and the U.K.’s QinetiQ — also showcased the target drone Banshee Jet 80 used by the Emirati Air Force. And French company RTSYS brought along its acoustic NemoSens target system.

Israeli companies also attended the show, with some — like Easy Aerial and Avnon — taking part through the Emirati organization International Golden Group. Others such as Elbit Systems, hosted separate stands. (While Easy Aerial is based in the United States, it has a regional office in Israel.)

China North Industries Group Corporation Limited — NORINCO for short — also had a presence at the IGG stand with several Chinese-made systems, including a sample of the BZK-005E UAV, rotary-wing and mini- drones, the Red Arrow and Blue Arrow missile systems, the Golden Eagle CR500A unmanned helicopter produced at the China-Emirates Science and Technology innovation laboratory.

The China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (better known as CATIC) had a large stand at the show, where it displayed the U8EA helicopter drone alongside other unmanned system mockups.

Russian companies Rostec and Kronshtadt did not attend the show, despite earlier reports that the Russian-made Orion and Orlan drones would be on display. However, Global Energy Transmission brought an autonomous in-flight charging system for drones.

The Russian system includes a waterproof receiving antenna, a high-power electronics module for power conversion, rapid-charging battery pack, and a data module for communication between the charging station and the onboard receiving system that allows drones to charge each other via their antennas, providing continuous flight thanks to in-flight recharging.

Saudi businesses were absent from UMEX; notably, the kingdom is hosting its own defense conference in early March, dubbed World Defense Show.

India’s Zen Technologies allowed UMEX attendees to choose a rifle or machine gun to simulate hitting targets in an environment similar to the Gulf region. The combat training specialist has an office in the UAE.

Australian company Marathon Target brought with it a small robot meant for training scenarios; the robot would mimic human response when shot by bending forward and continuing moving as if injured.

And Emirati firm Cynax unveiled the Kungsörn, a vertical-takeoff-and-landing surveillance drone that can launch from a truck. Data scientists with the company have completed a facial recognition feature and are reportedly working on risk analysis score technology by collecting social media data. They expect the technology will roll out in a few months and be used for security reasons.

BEIRUT — The United Arab Emirates has signed a letter of intention to procure 12 L-15 jet trainers from the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation, the Emirati Defence Ministry announced Wednesday.

UAE Air Force Col. Abdulnaser Al Humeidi revealed the country’s intent to buy the fixed-winged Chinese aircraft, with the possibility of increasing the quantity to 36. The L-15 is a training and light-attack aircraft for fourth- and fifth-generation fighter pilot training.

Retired Emirati Brig. Gen. Khalfan Al Kaabi told Defense News the decision reflects the UAE’s approach to diversify its sources of weapons.

At the recent unmanned technology tradeshow UMEX, held Feb. 21-23 in Abu Dhabi, China’s CATIC displayed the U8EA helicopter drone alongside other unmanned system mockups.

For its part, China North Industries Group Corporation Limited — NORINCO for short — also had a presence at the IGG stand with several Chinese-made systems, including a sample of the BZK-005E UAV, rotary-wing and mini- drones, the Red Arrow and Blue Arrow missile systems, the Golden Eagle CR500A unmanned helicopter produced at the China-Emirates Science and Technology innovation laboratory.

The fifth edition of UMEX also featured a training and simulation event dubbed SIMTEX. Deals made during the shows exceeded 2 billion dirhams (U.S. $544 million) and included:

• A 112.966 million dirham contract with American firm Boeing for training and maintenance services for flight simulators for the UAE.
• A 66.128 million dirham deal with French company Thales’ Defence and Mission Systems division to update and develop naval systems on planes for the UAE.
• A 31.048 million dirham deal with CAE Maritime Middle East involving the revision of a contract for a plane training center for the UAE.
• A 10 million dirham deal with UAE-based International Golden Group for drone systems for the country.
• A deal exceeding 639 million dirham with Emirati company Global Aerospace Logistics for technical support, maintenance, repair and spare parts services for the country.
• Denel SOC subsidiary Denel Dynamics of South Africa inked a contract worth more than 5.597 million dirham to provide technical support for aircraft systems for the UAE.

DeployNet, as it’s known, is a ruggedized, 5G communication system for military and crisis operations. Unveiled by Saab during the Unmanned Systems Exhibition here, it provides 5G/LTE wireless network for challenging environments, and has high-capacity bandwidth for missions relying on information sources, sensors and user interaction.

The system consists of a core network, radio access network, mast unit, transport layer, user equipment and power distribution. It can offer a secure wireless network at different frequency bands.

“The network is a UAE IP, and it is fully developed in our facilities in the UAE at Tawazun Industrial park, and it was tested already,” Anna-Karin Rosén, managing director of Saab in the UAE, told Defense News.

The system comes as a result of a cooperative deal signed by the Tawazun Economic Council and Saab in December.

The DeployNet showcased at the conference is a demonstrator and won’t move into production until it secures its first contract.

Rosén told Defense News this UAE-developed system will be used locally and is also available for export. The system was tested at Saab facilities in the UAE, but not by the armed forces.

“Saab is investing heavily in the UAE. We are keen to build on our partnership with Tawazun to enhance our significant contributions to the local industry, and to continue playing a central role in the sector’s growth in the UAE,” she said when the agreement was inked in December.

Hunter 2-S is part of the family of the Hunter 2 series of unmanned aerial vehicles. These drones are expected to share information with each other for tracking and maintaining positions and engaging with the right target.

“Through a certain algorithm, the drones can communicate with each other through [a] main channel, which communicates to all of the drones, giving each of them a certain mission to fly to the target,” Saeed Al Mansoori, Halcon’s chief executive, told Defense News.

Al Mansoori told Defense News the communication channel allow the drones to maintain a certain flight profile, particularly when they divide into a smaller group to hit a target.

The maximum take-off weight for Hunter 2-S is 8 kilograms, or nearly 18 pounds. It has a wingspan of 1.44 meters, or just shy of 5 feet, and length of 1.25 meters. The swarm’s targets may include enemy fighter jets on the tarmac at a military base or an incoming convoy of enemy armored vehicles.

Al Mansoori told Defense News the swarming drones application can fire 36 drones and control them. “They are equipped with [friend or foe identification] systems,” he added.

Each Hunter 2-S tube launcher can carry 21 drones, but Al Mansoori told Defense News the company aims at launching and controlling up to 70 drones, launched from one truck equipped with 3 launchers.

Though no contracts have yet been signed for the swarming drones, Al Mansoori said the company has seen interest from the UAE armed forces.

The company plans the first testing of the complete system in 2023 and production by 2025.

“We had the first demonstration internally this week,” he said. “One drone was launched from the tube, spread its wings, the engine worked and started flying. The first trial was successful but we will develop the flying performance.”

Hunter 2-S uses 3D printed parts, specifically the aerospace qualified thermoplastic material.

The UAE and Israel in September 2020 signed the Abraham Accords, which saw the two countries normalize diplomatic relations and enhance economic cooperation. Shared enmity of Iran and mutual fears over its nuclear program helped push the deal through after years of clandestine ties.

And it was about a year ago that Emirati defense conglomerate Edge Group partnered with Israel Aerospace Industries to develop counter-drone systems, marking the first defense collaboration of its kind between the two countries.

“While Israel was initially hesitant to actually share technological know-how and its technological edge with a new partner such as the UAE, I think escalation from Yemen, with Iranian proxy forces targeting the UAE directly with missiles and drones, has advanced these discussions between Israeli and UAE defense industr[ies] to share capability or jointly develop new capability,” Andreas Krieg, a conflict and security expert at King’s College London, told Defense News.

While Israel is still concerned about maintaining a technological edge over its neighbors, Krieg said, this mostly applies to offensive weaponry.

A shared enemy

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in December made a trip to the UAE, the first visit by an Israeli premier, as part of a blitz of regional diplomacy against the backdrop of struggling nuclear talks with Iran. The next month, Israeli President Isaac Herzog also traveled to the country. On his visit, the UAE intercepted a ballistic missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Jan. 31, authorities said, the third such attack in as many weeks.

About two weeks earlier, Israel had offered security and intelligence support to the UAE against further drone attacks following a deadly strike by the Iranian-backed group, Reuters reported, citing a condolence letter sent by Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to the UAE’s de facto leader, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Jan. 17 drone-and-missile attack struck an Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. fuel depot, killing three people and wounding six others.

That was followed by an attack on Jan. 24, which saw both Emirati and American forces fire interceptor missiles to bring down a Houthi missile near Al-Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi, which hosts about 2,000 American troops.

Iran has denied arming the Houthis, though U.N. reports, independent analysts and Western nations point to evidence showing Tehran’s link to the weapons. Experts, however, debate how much direct control Tehran exercises over the Houthis.

Houthi military spokesman Yehia Sarei gave a news conference Jan. 31, claiming the rebels had targeted “sensitive sites” in Abu Dhabi and Dubai with both Zulfiqar ballistic missiles and drones, without offering evidence for his assertions. He repeated the group’s warnings that the headquarters of international companies will be targeted in further attacks.

“The Emirates will remain an adversary as long as the actions of the Israeli enemy continue in Abu Dhabi and Dubai,” Sarei said.

During his visit, Herzog stressed Israel’s support for the UAE’s “security requirements” and condemned the recent attacks. He also visited the location of Dubai’s Expo 2020 world’s fair, which the Houthis previously threatened to target. From the site’s centerpiece dome, he delivered a carefully worded speech extolling Israel’s innovations, its presence at the fair and growing economic cooperation with the UAE.

He also rattled off figures about the countries’ cooperation: $1 billion in trade, the establishment of a $100 million research and development fund, 250,000 Israelis who so far have visited the UAE’s coastal cities.

Corrado Cok, a defense expert at geopolitical consultancy Gulf State Analytics, told Defense News the political visits are serving to advance cooperation in counter-drone technologies, including radars, electro-optic systems and communications intelligence.

“Israeli air defense systems were the main focus for the Emirati side due to the escalation of drone and missile attacks by the Houthi militia launched last month,” he said.

But Krieg sees the bilateral defense cooperation going beyond “anti-missile/drone technology” and moving into the realm of “cyber and information technology.”

Since the Abraham Accords, the UAE’s cybersecurity chief, Mohammed Al-Kuwaiti, has met with his Israeli counterpart in Tel Aviv and discussed the importance of cooperation in cyber defense and artificial intelligence between the two countries.

Asked about the possibility Israel would export its Iron Dome air defense system to the UAE, Krieg said sharing such technology with an Arab partner would be “a great step by Israel.” But alternatively, “technological transfer could happen via joint ventures that co-produce and co-develop defensive systems. This way Israel would not have to share an existing in-house capability and could control what it wants to share. Therefore, it is more likely Israel will develop an Iron Dome-like capability jointly with the UAE based on the existing platform rather than providing the existing platform to the UAE as it is.”

Joint ventures

In the meantime, Edge Group is developing an integrated counter-drone system with Israel Aerospace Industries based on an agreement announced in March 2021. Adding to this, the two firms announced in November their cooperation in developing unmanned surface vessels capable of operating remotely, semiautonomously or completely autonomously.

Defense News requested an update from Edge about the status of these joint ventures, but the firm declined to comment.

“There is no doubt, however, that Israel will up its support for the UAE in light of what is perceived as a common Iranian threat,” Krieg said. “Most of the security discussions over the past 18 months revolved around Iran. And amid the current escalation, this is just due to expand. Israel is leading in this field [missile defense and counter-drone technology], and the UAE are eager to pay for it handsomely, which is great news for Israel’s defense industry.”

“The other pillar where we see already a lot more cooperation and transfer of know-how is in the field of surveillance and information technology. Edge was designed as an incubator for information tech solutions in the field of cyber, AI and surveillance,” he added.

Israel has already helped the UAE become the leading IT power in the Arab world, he noted.

“The Pegasus [spyware] program is just one of these tech solutions that Israel has allowed to be transferred to the UAE. It allows Israeli companies to be integrated into the information environment in the UAE providing Israel access to data and information as well,” Krieg said.

Cok agrees that intelligence capabilities are a “promising area of cooperation.”

“In fact, the [Israeli intelligence agency] Mossad stepped up its efforts in Yemen following the recent Houthi threat to target the port of Eilat with missile attacks and potentially also explosive-laden boats, as happened in December 2020 at the Saudi port of Jeddah,” he said.

On Feb. 6, Israeli Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai took his first official visit to the UAE, a police statement said, aimed at promoting security cooperation initiatives between the two countries.

“Concerning the visit, the UAE has long been interested in Israel’s technology and expertise in domestic surveillance. The police chief could help Emirati security officials build their control and surveillance capabilities domestically,” Cok said.

But despite progress made thus far in developing strategic partnerships, several elements of the Israeli defense establishment remain wary of providing advanced technology to another regional country.

“The UAE has been seeking a difficult detente with Iran, confirmed by last December’s visit of [Emirati national security adviser] Tahnoon bin Zayed to Tehran, which is making the Israelis more cautious over [sharing] sensitive [technology]. This is the reason why Israel could take the same middle-ground position it took with Singapore and Azerbaijan by providing only some elements of its Iron Dome anti-missile system, like radars and ground control, without giving out missiles,” Cok explained.

There’s also hesitancy from the United States, arguably Israel’s closest ally. One major obstacle is the UAE’s relationship with Chinese tech companies — a gap the Abraham Accords were unable to bridge, Krieg noted.

However, Danny Sebright, the president of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, said the accords significantly changed how Washington evaluates certain arms deals with Abu Dhabi, with regard to America’s commitment to preserving Israel’s qualitative military edge.

“There are other factors critical [to] this calculus beyond just our security commitment to Israel. The Biden administration continues to work very closely with Congress in seeking final approval of significant new arms sales packages to the UAE. These deals are not dead by any measure,” Sebright said, hinting at the prospect of the UAE acquiring the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, for which talks are suspected amid U.S. concerns about the UAE’s work with Chinese 5G vendor Huawei.

“U.S. military aid to Israel is meant to help Israel develop unique solutions to specific Israeli security needs. As U.S. aid comes from taxpayer dollars, there always are, of course, certain conversations that occur when Israel might want to sell the military hardware that it has developed with these taxpayer dollars to other countries — especially if these offerings might compete with different solutions offered by U.S. companies.”

But, Sebright added, finding opportunities for trilateral defense cooperation involving businesses from all three nations would be a win-win-win and might alleviate some of these concerns.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

“The development of the tube-launched Hunter 10 drone is advancing successfully,” Saeed Al Mansoori added. The first prototype of the Hunter 10 was unveiled during the 2021 Dubai Airshow near its 58-kilogram (128-pound) tube launcher.

The drone weighs 10 kilograms, has a 4.2-meter wingspan and has a length of 3.4 meters. It has a takeoff weight of 47 kilograms and can be fired from the back of an armored or artillery vehicle.

The drone, which has an electric engine, can carry a 10-kilogram payload, fly at a maximum altitude of 2,500 meters and operate at a cruising speed of 60 knots. It’s designed to perform reconnaissance and attack missions, and has a 40-minute endurance.

Al Mansoori said his company will showcase 20 products during the UMEX 2022 trade show, which is focused on unmanned technology and takes place Feb. 21-23.

“Edge will display a range of Halcon’s unmanned, precision-guided systems including the Shadow 25 and Shadow 50 UAVs; Hunter series of drones and tube launchers; the recently launched Reach-S [unmanned combat aerial vehicle]; and the Remote Control Container System,” he told Defense News.

Unmanned systems made by Halcon don’t currently use 5G telecommunication networks, but Al Mansoori said the company has a technology road map that includes the integration of 5G, satellite and other communications technologies into its drones.

At the IDEX defense conference last year, Halcon unveiled SkyKnight, a radar-equipped missile for integration into the Oerlikon air defense system, made by German company Rheinmetall. SkyKnight is the first missile system designed and manufactured in the United Arab Emirates that can counter rockets, artillery and mortars. It was designed to mitigate these threats at a range of up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).

“Development of the actual SkyKnight system commenced in August 2020 with a full-strength team. Key milestones achieved since that time include the first missile tests out of a canister; full system requirement reviews for user needs and system design; subsystem design; and wind tunnel test model design and manufacturing,” Al Mansoori said.

Last month, the Lebanese Navy received a donation from Italy of a 12-meter-long multi-purpose boat known as a Rigid Inflatable Boat, an 8000-liter fuel tanker and two 20-passenger vans.

“A similar donation is expected to be received during July 2022. The Navy also expects to receive a donation [of] 100,000 Euros worth from the Italian side for the maintenance of the Multi Beam Echo Sounder and the updating of the software used in the production of nautical charts,” Navy Commander Senior Capt. Haissam Dannaoui told Defense News.

However, Dannoui said no agreement has been reached with the Italian government about a potential donation of frigates.

“The project of frigates provided as an Italian donation has not yet taken shape, and the detailed specifications of these frigates have not been discussed,” he said. “If the situation in the country improves, the Navy aspires to re-launch this project and to set the detailed specifications for such boats.”

Members of the Lebanese Naval Forces conducted training on two U.S. Coast Guard ships at the Beirut Naval Base earlier this month, according to the Lebanese Army official website. The website said this was “training members of the Naval Forces to use boats that will be a donation to the navy during 2022.”

Dannoui told Defense News the Navy is set to receive from the United States “three Protector-class boats, 27 meters long each, with a total weight of 93 tons. These boats are considered as coastal patrol boats that contribute to enhancing the ability of the navy to carry out the tasks assigned to it.”

He said the exercises taking place with the two U.S. ships included those focused on sharing experiences in the field of damage control on board boats, exchanging experiences in the field of search and rescue and a workshop on boats donated by the American side.

Dannoui said the Protector-class vessels are expected in late 2022 or early 2023.

In May 2021, the U.S. Defense Department notified Lebanon of planned delivery in 2022 of the three Protector-class patrol boats. The ships will help counter regional threats and keep maritime passages open, the U.S. State Department said in a statement after the first Defense Resourcing Conference to discuss deepening the two countries’ security collaboration.

Additionally, “the Navy will receive [eight] US interceptor boats Safe 44 variant, and we are in the process of continuously developing our capabilities in order to establish total control over our national waters,” Dannoui told Defense News.

“France has offered to sell 20 drones; currently the Iraqi [Ministry of Defence] is undertaking technical analysis,” Norman Ricklefs, who leads geopolitical consultancy NAMEA Group and was previously an adviser to Iraq’s interior minister and to the secretary general of the MoD, told Defense News.

An Iraqi delegation is scheduled to visit France in the near future to inspect the drones.

Ricklefs, who has recently spoken to Iraqi defense officials about the procurement plans, said there isn’t yet a contract for the drones. At this point, he believes the delegation will “perform a quality check” on the unmanned systems.

The French Armed Forces Ministry did not respond to several requests for comment on the visit, nor on the types or numbers of aircraft that might be offered.

In a January interview by the Iraqi News Agency with the chief of the country’s land forces, he revealed the negotiations to procure French drones. “Iraq is negotiating many contracts including armed drones capable of flying for 30 hours in Iraqi airspace and of addressing targets and continuously monitoring various regions, with proven ability and effectiveness,” Lt. Gen Qasim Al-Muhammadi said.

Ricklefs said Iraq is also in negotiations for Pakistani UAVs. “Pakistan has also offered to sell Iraq 20 drones, but the MoD is still analyzing the offer,” he told Defense News.

Additionally, Al-Muhammadi said in the interview, “there are plans to increase the number of tanks and increase the divisions and brigades in order to increase the capabilities of the Iraqi Army.” The service currently operates American Abrams and Russian T-90 tanks, he added.

Ricklefs noted that the MoD is seeking additional T-90 tanks from Russia, having already ordered 73 2016. The Iraqi MoD announced in June 2018 that, as part the order’s first batch, 39 of those T-90S tanks were delivered to the 9th Division’s 35th Brigade. This brigade was equipped with M1 Abrams tanks, but they were transferred to the 34th Brigade after the T-90 delivery, the ministry has said.

“There are excellent artillery systems with high accuracy that will be imported from France, in addition to weapon systems equipped with night goggles,” Al-Muhammadi said in the interview. “There are many contracts signed by Iraq to procure equipment, some of which have already arrived at the national port, and others are still under production.”

In terms of local production, he described “a serious desire to develop Iraqi weapons, and there are projects that have been launched already to enable us to manufacture systems ourselves.”

“There is competition between the East and the West to prove their systems’ capabilities, and as armed forces, we support armament sources diversification,” he added.

For its part, the Iraqi Air Force is seeking French Rafale fighter jets. In September 2021, the chairman of the Security and Defense Committee of Iraq’s parliament, Mohammed Redha al-Haidar, revealed Iraq and Paris signed a contract for the aircraft.

“The Iraqi Air Force is intending to purchase 14 French Rafale fighter jets at a cost of $240 million, which will be paid in oil rather than cash,” Ricklefs told Defense News about the deal.

He also said the Air Force is nearing the purchase of Super Mushshak fighter/trainer aircraft, but he was unable to provide further details.

Vivienne Machi in Stuttgart, Germany, contributed to this report.