Iraq seeks to buy Chinese FD-2000 missile defense system.
The Iraqi army is trying to buy a missile defense system from China to strengthen its defenses.
Fars News Agency, the media reported on Saturday night, Tehran time, that Iraq is negotiating with China to purchase a missile defense system.
Iraq is in talks with China to acquire the FD-2000 missile defense system, according to the New Recognition website, citing the Tactical Report website.
According to the report, the HQ-9 Export Defense Missile System is a surface-to-air missile system developed by China’s defense industry. The missile is capable of intercepting precision-guided weapons as well as drones, helicopters and fighters.
The missile of this system is equipped with a 180 kg warhead and its maximum speed is Mach 4.2 and its maximum range is 125 km to an altitude of 27 km.
During the Persian Gulf crisis in 1990, China suspended economic, trade and military exchanges with Iraq in accordance with relevant UN resolutions. After the Gulf War, China traded with Iraq under the oil-for-food plan.
Iraq also buys fighter jets from Pakistan
Chinese President Xi Jinping recently said that China attaches great importance to developing relations with Iraq and is ready to further enhance its strategic partnership with Iraq. China recently sent a number of drones and missiles to Iraq.
Meanwhile, media outlets have reported that Iraq has signed a contract with Pakistan to purchase a number of JF-17 Block fighters. “We have signed a contract with a Pakistani company to buy the aircraft,” said Iraqi Defense Minister Juma Anad.
Pakistani media had previously reported that talks had taken place between Islamabad and Baghdad to purchase 12 GF-17 fighter jets worth $ 664 million.
