France to Lead NATO Mission in Iraq as Baghdad Signs Major Defense Deal for French Caracal Aircraft
Additionally, the two sides discussed progress on a separate contract involving the delivery of French air defense radars to Iraq’s Air Defense Command.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Iraq and France have strengthened their strategic military cooperation as Paris prepares to assume leadership of the NATO mission in Iraq, following the signing of a significant defense contract that will see the Iraqi Armed Forces acquire Caracal helicopters from France.
Iraq’s Minister of Defense, Thabet Muhammad Saeed Al-Abbasi, arrived in France on Tuesday, for an official multi-day visit accompanied by a high-ranking delegation of Iraqi military officers. During the visit, Minister Al-Abbasi met with his French counterpart, Sébastien Lecornu, at the French Ministry of Defense to discuss a range of pressing regional and bilateral defense issues.
According to a press release issued by the Iraqi Defense Ministry, a central focus of the meeting was France’s upcoming leadership of NATO’s mission in Iraq, set to begin in May. The shift signals a new phase in NATO’s involvement in the country, with France poised to play a pivotal role in continuing the alliance’s efforts to support Iraq’s military modernization and institutional reform.
The ministers also finalized key components of a bilateral defense agreement, notably the procurement of several Airbus H225M Caracal helicopters for Iraq’s Army Aviation Command. The contract represents a significant upgrade to Iraq’s aerial capabilities, enhancing its mobility, counterterrorism response, and border security efforts.
Additionally, the two sides discussed progress on a separate contract involving the delivery of French air defense radars to Iraq’s Air Defense Command—part of a broader effort to bolster Iraq’s detection and response infrastructure in an increasingly volatile regional environment.
Strategic Cooperation Amid Shifting Regional Dynamics
The visit and agreements come at a time of heightened regional uncertainty. With shifting alliances and a growing threat from non-state actors, Iraq has sought to diversify its defense partnerships beyond traditional allies like the United States. France's deeper engagement with Iraq, through both NATO and bilateral channels, reflects its broader ambition to expand its footprint in the Middle East and assert a leadership role in global security.
France’s assumption of the NATO mission follows its increasing involvement in coalition and training efforts in Iraq in recent years. The NATO mission, launched in 2018 at the request of the Iraqi government, focuses on advising and training Iraqi security forces. Paris is expected to bring a new strategic direction to the mission amid ongoing discussions about the future of U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq.
The Caracal deal, meanwhile, marks a major investment in Iraq’s military aviation capabilities. The twin-engine, long-range helicopters are widely used for tactical transport, special operations, and search and rescue missions by NATO forces. Their acquisition underscores Iraq’s efforts to modernize its aging fleet and prepare for complex operational requirements in urban and rural theaters.
France’s Growing Defense Footprint in Iraq
Tuesday’s developments underscore France’s growing role as a defense and security partner in Iraq. The country has become a critical interlocutor in regional diplomacy and has advocated for maintaining a strong NATO presence in Iraq to prevent a resurgence of ISIS and help stabilize the broader region.
As France prepares to take the reins of NATO’s advisory mission, and Iraq integrates new defense platforms into its arsenal, both nations appear to be forging a partnership rooted in mutual strategic interests.
The French Ministry of Defense has not yet released an official statement regarding the specifics of the Caracal delivery timeline or further NATO mission objectives, but both governments have emphasized their shared commitment to long-term defense cooperation.
