Iraqi Air Force
The Iraqi Air Force is a rebuilding entity, one with considerable limitations but also with an evolving capacity for aerial defense and ground support. Historically weakened by decades of sanctions, conflict, and political instability, the air force has not yet achieved the operational sophistication and capability found in more advanced global powers. Its fleet mainly consists of a mixture of older platforms like the Su-25, along with more modern, Western aircraft like the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the latter being part of an effort to modernize and standardize equipment.
Training and maintenance have been continual challenges, partly due to reliance on foreign expertise and parts. In recent years, the United States and other Western allies have been instrumental in this area, providing not only hardware but also training and logistical support. This has led to dependency on external aid, both in terms of material and know-how, making the Iraqi Air Force vulnerable to geopolitical shifts.
While the air force has made strides in counter-terrorism operations and has played a role in combating ISIS, its abilities for long-range missions and complex air-to-air combat are limited. It doesn't yet have a fully integrated, multi-layered air defense system, leaving it susceptible to more advanced aerial adversaries. Moreover, corruption and political interference have affected the force’s operational efficacy, often leading to sub-optimal allocation of resources.
Currently, the Iraqi Air Force is in a state of flux, torn between its legacy issues and the imperatives of modern warfare. It has neither the robust, multifaceted capabilities of a fully modern force nor the widespread vulnerabilities of a completely outdated one. Its current state is a transitional one, with its future trajectory hinging on various uncertain factors including political stability in Iraq, ongoing foreign assistance, and regional geopolitics.
Key facts
| Official Name | Iraqi Air Force |
| Local Name | القوة الجوية العراقية (Al Quwwa al Jawwiya al ‘Iraqiya) |
| Country | 🇮🇶 Iraq |
| World rank | #32 |
| Active aircrafts | 361 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 12 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | 164 | |
| Training | 104 | |
| Combat aircrafts | 59 | |
| Special missions | 18 | |
| Transport | 16 | |
Aircrafts most used by Iraqi air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 206 JetRanger | 73 | American light helicopter, well known for civilian, military, emergency medical services, and offshore oil support roles since the 1960s. | |
| Mi-8 Hip | 43 | Soviet multipurpose helicopter, prevalent during the Cold War, extensively utilized for transport, combat and humanitarian operations globally. | |
| F-16 Fighting Falcon | 34 | American multirole fighter, famed in late Cold War conflicts, renowned for performance in precision daytime strikes and defensive counter air operations. | |
| T-50 Golden Eagle | 24 | South Korean supersonic trainer jet, utilized since 2005 with notable deployment in Iraq and the Philippines. | |
| Mi-24 Hind | 23 | Soviet attack helicopter, renowned for Cold War use, predominantly deployed for airborne assault, close combat, and anti-armour roles. | |
| Su-25 Frogfoot | 21 | Soviet close air support aircraft, prominent during Afghan War, designed for ground targets engagement under heavy fire conditions. | |
| H135M / EC365 | 20 | European light utility helicopter, prominent in law enforcement, medical services, and military operations worldwide since the late 20th century. | |
| Lasta-95 | 19 | Serbian training aircraft, operational from the late 20th century, utilized by Iraq and Serbia for military pilot training. | |
| Mi-28 Havoc | 17 | Russian attack helicopter, noted for operations in Chechnya, Syria, and Iraq, purposed for anti-armor, anti-aircraft, and combat roles. | |
| T-6 Texan II | 15 | American turboprop trainer, widely deployed worldwide since the late 20th century for pilot instructing and light attack roles. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Iraqi Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | F-16C/IQ | 26 | |
| Su-25 | 21 | ||
| L-159A | 10 | ||
| AC-208 | 2 | ||
| Helicopters | Bell 412 | 12 | |
| SA342 | 6 | ||
| Mi-8 | 2 | ||
| Special missions | CH2000 (Recce) | 7 | |
| King Air 350 (Recce) | 6 | ||
| Cessna 208 (Recce) | 3 | ||
| DHC-6 (Recce) | 2 | ||
| Training | T-50IQ | 24 | |
| Lasta 95 | 19 | ||
| T-6A | 15 | ||
| Bell 206 | 9 | ||
| F-16D/IQ | 8 | ||
| Cessna 208 | 4 | ||
| L-159T1 | 1 | ||
| Transport | An-32 | 6 | |
| C-130J | 6 | ||
| C-130E | 3 | ||
| King Air 350 | 1 |
Iraqi Army Aviation Command
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | Mi-8/171 | 41 | |
| Bell 407 | 40 | ||
| Mi-35 | 23 | ||
| H135 | 20 | ||
| Mi-28 | 17 | ||
| UH-1H | 15 | ||
| Training | Bell 206 | 12 | |
| OH-58 | 9 | ||
| Bell 407 | 3 |