Remnants of Iraq Air Force Are Found (19 MIG-21 and MIG-23 jet fighters stored in Serbia)

NY Times ^ | 8/30/09 | ROD NORDLAND

[Libloather]

Remnants of Iraq Air Force Are Found
By ROD NORDLAND
Published: August 30, 2009

BAGHDAD — Iraqi officials have discovered that they may have a real air force, after all.

The Defense Ministry revealed Sunday that it had recently learned that Iraq owns 19 MIG-21 and MIG-23 jet fighters, which are in storage in Serbia. Ministry officials are negotiating with the Serbs to restore and return the aircraft.

The Serbian government has tentatively promised to make two of the aircraft available “for immediate use,” according to a news release from the ministry. The rest would be restored on a rush basis, the ministry said.

An Iraqi delegation went to Serbia as part of an effort by the government to locate assets stashed abroad by Saddam Hussein to evade sanctions. Serbia had had friendly relations with Mr. Hussein’s government.

During that visit, Serbian defense officials told the Iraqis that Mr. Hussein had sent 19 fighter jets to Serbia for repairs in the late 1980s, during the Iran-Iraq war, but was unable to bring them back after sanctions were imposed on his country.

Iraq immediately sent a technical delegation, led by the air force chief, Gen. Anwar Mohammed Amin.

The Web site of the Iraqi Supreme Islamic Council, the leading Shiite political party, quoted the Defense Ministry spokesman Mohammed al-Askari as saying that the aircraft had been sent in 1989 “for maintenance, and everything was paid for by Iraq’s money.” Mr. Askari said the discovery was important because Iraq had no jet aircraft with defensive or offensive capabilities. “Our air force only has helicopters,” he said.

[Atchafalaya]

we know!!!

[sukhoi-30mki]

The Mig-21 was probably the most common Iraqi fighter and the one most pilots and technicians are still familiar with. Not to forget that you have plenty of upgrade packages available. Cost effective while they wait for their new F-16s.