Iraq receives F-16 fighter jets from the US

The Iraqi Air Force has received the first batch of advanced F-16 fighter jets from the US, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Haider Al-Abadi’s office said yesterday.

The Iraqi War Media Cell said in a brief statement that the fighter jets arrived at their base, but did not mention the base’s name or the number of jets received.

The Iraqi Air Force announced on Saturday that four of the 36 F-16s fighter jets purchased by Iraq would arrive in the country soon.

Iraq’s Defence Minister Khaled Al-Obeidi said earlier that the Balad Air Base in Salahuddin province “is ready to receive the fighter jets which will have a significant impact on the country’s battle against terrorism”.

US State Department spokesman John Kirby confirmed that the jets had been delivered, noting that they would be flown by Iraqi, not US, pilots.

“The fight inside Iraq right now is against ISIL, and that – our expectation is that if and when they start flying missions and combat sorties in Iraq, that’s what they’ll be used for, not to go after – not to contribute to any sectarian issues inside Iraq,” Kirby said, using another acronym for the Islamic State (ISIS).

Iraq signed a deal with the United States in 2011 to purchase 36 F-16 fighter jets.