Since without our forces present Iraq has no air defenses, Iraq wants to buy an air defense system from us in addition to some short-tange Russian mobile missiles Iraq decided to buy:
Iraq has gone back to the U.S. to buy a complete integrated air defense system. While U.S. suppliers are difficult (sometimes impossible) to get bribes from, the Americans do make a lot of the best stuff and their air defense equipment is proven. In addition to existing orders for dozens of F-16 fighters, Iraq will buy 40 Avenger (similar to Pantsir) vehicles, 681 Stinger MANPADS (MAN-Portable Air-Defense Systems) missiles and three HAWK (similar to Patriot) batteries (with 216 missiles plus radars and control centers).
Alarm bells went off as soon as I read the article title. But no worries, Strategypage is also aware of the obvious:
Many of Iraq’s neighbors (including Iran) use Hawk. This may be a problem for the United States and an opportunity for corrupt Iraqi officials. Iran has 1970s era Hawk systems and Hawk has been considerably upgraded since then. Iran has a lot of fans inside Iraq and even more people in the Iraqi government and military who can be bought or rented. This makes it possible for Iran to upgrade its Hawk systems by getting access to upgraded Hawk technology in Iraq.
Yeah. Sadly, if Iraq gets Hawk, Iran gets upgraded Hawk. Don't sell Iraq Hawks.
I'd avoid selling Stingers to Iraq, too. The idea of some of those going missing is enough to make me lose sleep at night. Sell Iraq more Avengers if they want more short-range missile systems.
