Russia confirms $4.2 billion arms deal with Iraq

Russia confirmed on October 9 that it had signed arms deals worth more than $4.2 billion with Iraq in the second half of this year, making it the second-largest arms supplier to the Middle Eastern country after the United States.

A joint statement issued after a meeting between visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and his counterpart Dmitry Medvedev said the deals were agreed during visits this year and totaled "more than $4.2 billion."

Mi-26 and Mi-28 helicopters. (Source: Reuters)

Russian press reports ahead of Mr Maliki's first visit to Moscow in nearly four years said the contracts would be signed this week and would be worth a total of around $4.3 billion.

The deals reportedly include the purchase of 30 Mi-28 attack helicopters and 42 Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile systems capable of countering attack jets.

Negotiations are reportedly underway for Iraq to purchase MiG-29 fighter jets as well as heavy armored vehicles and other weapons.

According to the joint statement, the agreements were initially discussed in April, then raised in July and August during visits to Russia by Iraqi delegations, including Defense Minister Saadoun al-Dulaimi.

"The delegation members got acquainted with Russia's military production processes, discussed technical and commercial possibilities in proposals with (state) supplier Rosoboronexport, and signed contracts worth more than $4.2 billion," Russian news agencies quoted the joint statement as saying.

Following the talks between Mr. Maliki and Mr. Medvedev will be a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, which is expected to focus on new Russian energy contracts in this oil-rich Middle Eastern country./.

According to (Vietnam+) - DT