Exclusive: Iraq Advances Plans for Nationwide Air Defense

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Iraq has made significant progress toward acquiring a new air-defense system capable of covering the entire country, with the first system expected to arrive within six months, Sabah Numan, spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, told Kurdistan24 in an exclusive interview.

Numan said Iraqi authorities had advanced negotiations and agreements with companies supplying air-defense systems, with the aim of establishing nationwide coverage.

"We have made good progress in securing an air-defense system and reaching agreements with companies to provide air-defense systems covering all of Iraq," Numan said.

He added that the first system is expected to arrive in Iraq within six months and will be deployed across different areas of the country.

According to Numan, the planned air-defense architecture will include a range of capabilities, including radar systems, interception weapons and aircraft.

"These systems will include everything from radar and interception weapons to aircraft, and they will be deployed to safeguard Iraq's air sovereignty," he said.

Numan also highlighted the level of coordination between Iraqi security forces and the Peshmerga, describing the Peshmerga forces as part of the Iraqi Armed Forces.

He said cooperation is particularly strong in intelligence sharing, with regular meetings, reciprocal visits and continued coordination between the sides.

"We have a high level of coordination, particularly in intelligence sharing," Numan said.

He added that joint forces are operating in several areas of shared concern, bringing together Kurds, Arabs and members of other communities.

According to Numan, the purpose of these deployments is to eliminate terrorist threats and close security gaps that could otherwise be exploited.

The spokesperson described Iraq's overall security situation as stable and said security forces were carrying out their responsibilities effectively.

He said coordination among the different forces remained at a high level, while deployments had also been strengthened across areas of responsibility and along Iraq's borders.

Numan also pointed to cooperation from civilians as an important element in maintaining security.

"In addition, we have strengthened our deployment throughout all areas of responsibility and along the borders," he said. "Citizens are also cooperating with the security forces."

Beyond the military dimension, Numan linked security stability to Iraq's broader economic prospects.

He said a stable environment strengthens the government's economic policy and helps create conditions that can attract investors and foreign companies.

"The government's economic policy becomes stronger when there is a stable environment, helping attract investors and foreign companies to Iraq," Numan said.

His remarks underline Baghdad's focus on strengthening both air-defense capabilities and coordination among the country's security forces, while presenting stability as a foundation for wider economic development.