Iraqi Air Force and Air Defense

[Ananda]

There're online rumours (I still classified this as rumours), that Iraq will going to put their F-16 for sale soon. This is because they're having difficulty to maintain those F-16. This is where I say as rumours as the claim differ from Western source like the drive article below that claim otherwise.

Iraq’s F-16 Fleet Surges In Importance Thanks In Part To War In Ukraine

A lack of parts for Russian-made combat aircraft has helped Iraq's F-16IQs become its 'most reliable shooters,' according to a new report.

www.thedrive.com

So whether they are diversifying or replacing as they have problems on maintaining their F-16, somehow it is conflicting information.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

There're online rumours (I still classified this as rumours), that Iraq will going to put their F-16 for sale soon. This is because they're having difficulty to maintain those F-16. This is where I say as rumours as the claim differ from Western source like the drive article below that claim otherwise.

Iraq’s F-16 Fleet Surges In Importance Thanks In Part To War In Ukraine

A lack of parts for Russian-made combat aircraft has helped Iraq's F-16IQs become its 'most reliable shooters,' according to a new report.

www.thedrive.com

So whether they are diversifying or replacing as they have problems on maintaining their F-16, somehow it is conflicting information.

If they want to get rid of the F-16, i think that there are enough countries who can take them over, like Taiwan, Indonesia or other F-16 users. The Iraqi F-16s have a low amount of flight hours and are from a late/modern variant

 

[Ananda]

If they want to get rid of the F-16, i think that there are enough countries who can take them over, like Taiwan, Indonesia or other F-16 users.

That's about it, the information whether they want to keep or get rid their F-16, which is in my opinion conflicting. US must agree if Iraq AF really want to disperse theirs F-16, and I guess US will agree if Taiwan, Indonesia or Philippines want to take those up. It's back to early question, is Iraq really want to get rid their F-16?

 

[SABRE]

If IQAF wants to retire its F-16 then Pakistan would probably be the first in line, and take these aircraft in barter payment for JF-17s. But, of course, F-16s transfer to Pakistan would depend on the US consent and provision for upgrades/MLU.