Iraqi Air Force Acquires First Two Aircraft

[Frozen Hell]

i wonder what they will be used for? monitoring the pipelines?

IRAQI AIR FORCE ACQUIRES FIRST TWO AIRCRAFT

The new Iraqi Air Force purchased its first two aircraft in Jordan, June 10.

Delivery is scheduled for mid-July in Basrah.

The two Australian-manufactured SB7L-360 Seeker Reconnaissance Aircraft are the first purchases toward a tentative force of 16 surveillance aircraft. The aircraft are intended to assist in the protection of the nation's energy assets as well as aid in border and coastal security.

"This purchase represents a significant leap forward in the Iraqi's ability to surgically find and respond to sabotage on infrastructure," said Office of Security Transition, Air Reconnaissance Plans Officer, Marine Corps Capt. Jeremy DeMott.

"These aircraft represent the rebirth of an air force that will fly in cooperation with Coalition forces for the first time in almost two decades," he added.

Iraqi Air Force pilots will receive basic training on the aircraft, with special attention directed to sensors and reporting skills. During operations, pilots will communicate suspicious activity to Iraqi and Coalition forces on the ground.

Seeker aircraft are fitted with high-resolution surveillance systems, digital video recording hardware and other reconnaissance technology.

The Iraqi Air Force currently stands at nearly 150 personnel with most still in training. Plans are to grow the force to 500 by December 2004.

The Jordanian government has offered a gift of 16 helicopters and two C-130 aircraft to augment the force.

link (http://www.noticias.info/Asp/aspComunicados.asp?nid=26647&src=0)

[Pathfinder-X]

how about letting iraq have some combat aircraft?? oh wait i forgot, the U.S wouldn't want that would they? :D:

[adsH]

how about letting iraq have some combat aircraft?? oh wait i forgot, the U.S wouldn't want that would they? :D:
PathFinder, the iraqi AF is on a long 'path' of recovery they will 'find' their path eventually. at the moment the US is going to keep the AF as purely surveillance and Atack Heli's, they predict the Iraqi Air-force would be flying jets in about 10 years time. all the Mig's have been destroyed in storage and are being scrapped. i wouldn't be shocked if the Iraqis would be seen flying expensive Raptors in 10 years time all the current pilots officers are being educated to serve as the next gen of leaders. i doubt these people will ever see them selves back in Air in the future. but they should be grateful for being able and allowed to serve in the new Iraqi force.

[turin]

how about letting iraq have some combat aircraft?? oh wait i forgot, the U.S wouldn't want that would they?

Consider, how long it took other defeated and occupied countries (eg. Germany, Japan) to regain a true Air Force. And the iraqi AF hasnt been in good shape for the last ten years or so (in terms of material as well as of training).
Add a still unstable internal situation in Iraq and it is obvious that some time will pass before Iraq could get his hands on new combat aircraft again.

As for the Raptors...well I guess I would still be surprised... :D:

[mysterious]

Current Iraqi Airforce is just like the current Iraqi Navy!! Another set of "bare-naked ladies"!! :D LOL

[Aussie Digger]

I would imagine the recon aircraft would be used for monitoring Iraq's borders and perhaps maritime interests and also any incidents involving "insurgents"?

[mysterious]

Obviously. I was just bringing in some much needed smile across everyone's faces for the moment. ;)

[Pathfinder-X]

I would imagine the recon aircraft would be used for monitoring Iraq's borders and perhaps maritime interests and also any incidents involving "insurgents"?

i don't see what good monitoring would be if you don't even have the weapons to deal with insurget or maritime criminal activities.

Aboard an Iraqi airforce survilance aircraft "hey look a insurgent camp!!" "Oh, you wanna land near it and assualt it with small arms or should we wait for americans?? " :D:

[mysterious]

Hahahahaa! Pathfinder, I suppose those planes would just let the US forces know where the insurgents are as well as the locale of their hideouts and other similar info. :smokingc:

[Deltared075]

Maybe now the Iraq don't have any good aircraft, but believe me, future Iraqis airforce will have F16, F15 and B52?

[turin]

Yeah sure, Iraq will have its B52 around the same time we begin work on our new Aircraft Carrier. :mrgreen

[gf0012-aust]

Images of the aircraft. This is an Australian aircraft. The company has gone into partnership with the Jordanians to establish sales in the Middle East.

It's been looked at for surveillance, and potential FAC.

http://www.seabirdaviationjordan.com/images/seeker4.jpg


http://www.seabirdaviationjordan.com/images/head1.jpg

Product Info:

Overview

The cost-effective surveillance and reconnaissance platform for commercial and security applications worldwide.

Helicopter-like visibility with unobstructed sensor field of view .

Low Vibrations levels and comfortable ride in turbulence so as to facilitate situation awareness.

Docile handling characteristics with inherent stability and vice free stall.

Responsive, harmonised control, with reserves of power.

Soft-field operation with excellent remote-field maintainability.

All metal primary structure with high fatigue life.

Certificated to FAR23 Airworthiness Design Standards.

The aircraft is unique in appearance. The forward fuselage is reminiscent of a Gazelle utility helicopter with a large bubble-cockpit built around a welded tubular steel roll-cage for accident survivability.

[Deltared075]

Haha.. a good market for old aircraft!

[gf0012-aust]

Haha.. a good market for old aircraft!

It's actually a new aircraft concept, interestingly enough there are Indian and Chinese customers who want them for surveillance work as well.

[Aussie Digger]

Hey Pathfinder, ever watched "world's wildest police chases" or similar shows on TV? Guess where the footage comes from? Police surveillance Aircraft usually. They don't have any ability to "take action" to resolve a situation. This doesn't mean they're not useful though. A J-STARS aircraft could monitor "insurgents" actions too and not be able to do anything about it. Do you consider this a useless aircraft too? It is actually quite common for surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to be unarmed. They DO however have radio's and can call upon other forces to take the required action... :P