Iraq Takes Delivery of Mi-35 Gunships

Iraq Takes Delivery of Mi-35 Gunships

Iraq took collection Thursday night of the first four Russian-made Mil Mi-35 helicopter gunships sold to the Middle Eastern nation as part of a multibillion dollar weapons deal. Iraqi leader Nouri al-Maliki posted pictures of the aircraft on his official Facebook page.

Abbas al-Bayati, a lawmaker with al-Maliki’s ruling faction in parliament, told RIA Novosti that Iraq expects to receive a consignment of around 40 Mi-35 and Mi-28NE attack helicopters by the end of the year. Iraq is looking to use the newly bought military materiel to bolster its borders and for use in antiterrorist operations.

Russia is to supply 48 Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile gun systems in addition to the helicopters under a $4.3 billion agreement on cooperation in the defense and technology sector signed in 2012.

For the complete story by RIA Novosti, click here.

Photo via Nouri al-Maliki

Updated: November 8, 2013 — 11:57 AM
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