What they really need to do is hang onto them and don't let them fall into ISIL hands.
My understanding is that the IqAF (Iraqi Air Force) is in the process of acquiring the following fixed wing turbofan fighter attack aircraft:
I believe that 11x F-16C/D models have now been delivered. Their operational staus is probably best guessed at 'uncertain' if that is what you mean by 'in the fight'? I suspect some operational sorties have been flown by now. Whether this is a regular occurrence or not is unknown to me.
The first Iraqi F-16 strikes were made in September last year, no idea how regularly they are conducting them these days however.
IMHO the Iraqi AF would be best fit with something like the Super Tucano or maybe some lend lease style USAF mothballed A-10s. They have a primary ground attack and CAS mission. These aircraft would be less costly per hour to fly and cheaper to maintain. Their adversaries have limited SAM capabilities so my thoughts tend toward lower end airframes. I think that's why the SU-25 is performing well, so maybe more SU-25s.
They've already got inventory and experience with the SU-25, why would they want mothballed A-10s? The SU-25 will give them sufficient ground attack capability, it might not have the same toys as the A-10 but it's hardly toothless. And I reckon they'd be cheaper to fly and maintain given the existing experience base compared to half-shagged A-10 airframes...
The question is how many aircraft are currently being used for close air support. How often they used for air strikes is not being asked because this is harder to determine.
Can Iraq purchase additional new Su-25s? In my view, Iraq doesn't need any more turbofan fixed wing multipurpose attack fighters. Light attack turboprops are far cheaper to operate per hour and relative to CAS provided.
Agreed Sir, my point was merely that their requirements are more CAS and Ground attack Vis a vie Air Dominance and the Su-25 style aircraft may be better suited than more F-16s. Although one could argue the F16 can do the same level of CAS but with the added Air to Air capabilities
I think AC130s would be ideal for Iraq. IqAF already operates 9 C130s and adding AC130s would add economies of scale to maintenance and operations. Wish Obama would donate some other AC130s to Iraq, and the Iraqis bought some new AC130s on their own dime. This would free up all of IqAF's soon to be 36 F16 IQ (block 52 class), 24 FA 50 for air defense, and give Iraq some autonomy from and leverage with respect to Iran's unelected dictator Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyed Khamenei.
On a related note, the IqAF is already operating Chinese UCAVs, how does that complement their ground attack aircraft? Trading payload for greater persistence and cheaper operating costs; can we understand UCAV operations in such a manner?
I don't know anything about any UCAVs, nor do I have any knowledge of IqAF conops etc. so my understanding would be extremely limited. I suspect however that calling operational and exported Chinese UAS a "UCAV" may be a little premature. The designations are increasingly murky I suppose, but I would expect UCAV to refer to a dedicated combat UAS, not a typical surveillance UAS with a few missiles stuck on. Anyway as I said, I don't have the knowledge to properly understand their unmanned operations.
Ah I see, cheers for that mate. I guess I haven't heard UCAV around the traps at all lately. Well, except the really enthusiastic traps...