Deputy Security and Defense Committee Head: Iraq Diversifies Arms Sources and Does Not Impose a 'Veto' on Purchases
Ahmed Kayin al-Khazali said Baghdad is dealing with different countries to buy advanced defensive systems and does not exclude any major country, stressing the country's need for air-defence systems and thermal cameras with detection ranges of 12 to 18 kilometers.
Deputy chairman of the Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, Ahmed Kayin al-Khazali, said on Saturday that Iraq is moving to diversify its arms sources by dealing with different countries without imposing a 'veto' on purchases from any major country.
Al-Khazali said, on the sidelines of a seminar by the Political Forum of the Sadiqoun Movement in Najaf, that Iraq "does not clash today with any country; everyone is an ally, and we deal with them with unity and a single credibility."
He pointed to coordination with a number of countries to purchase advanced defensive systems and weapons, explaining that the choice depends on their level of sophistication and their ability to meet Iraq's defense needs.
He added: "We observe the facilities and assess what advanced defenses countries possess, and if they are suitable they are purchased."
He indicated that the country needs air-defence systems capable of detecting and engaging targets, in addition to thermal cameras that can detect distances up to 12 or 18 kilometers, noting that global armament development has moved away from rifles and artillery toward ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, radars and modern technologies.
The seminar was held under the title "Iraq after September... Consolidating national sovereignty and advancing the state-building process," in the presence of political figures and those interested in security and political affairs.
