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This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during November 2012. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 30 November 2012. “A Passing Advantage – The Kurdish/Iraq Confrontation” was published separately and will not be addressed here. Highlights in this update include: * KRG forming 2 Joint Corps; KRG ATGW claim. * RaOC assumes control of Wasit; Russian deal cancelled and to be renegotiated; Additional T72s to be acquired; first M113s for 8th Division; 17th Division to be re-equipped in 2013. * New Aviation Brigade formed?; ADC completes refurbishment of...

Some of my early thoughts were published in rough form earlier. My estimate of Kurdish and Iraqi Forces is that neither side is really ready for a stand-up fight. But it may happen anyway for political reasons or as deployed forces maneuver for position. If it happens, don't be surprised if it doesn't work out as planned - for either side... Of interest, the formation of the Tigris Operational Command and the claim of forming 2 Kurdish Operational Commands in response as justification for the confrontation is pure propaganda. Establishing corps-level commands has been ongoing since the Surge and both...

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during October 2012. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 31 October 2012. Two speculative maps were published under “ISF Speculation.” The Russian and Czech arms purchases [and US M88s plus Serbian Artillery] were addressed separately in “Iraqi Arms Purchases October 2012”. These topics will not be addressed here. Air and Naval Bases have been added to the ISF OOB map. Highlights in this update include: - Further arms purchases and proposals; Joint US/Iraqi Training Exercise planned; TOC operational and adds Salahaddin;...

First reports are always wrong. The initial reports were of $4.2 billion in Russian arms buys with 42 Pantsir-S1 units and 30 Mi-28NE helicopters. That led to the following 3 possibilities: A big rip-off. More equipment being bought but not reported. Lower price than reported. The $4.2 billion reported price tag comes from Russian press and was based on Iraq buying everything that was on the table – they didn’t. PM Maliki has denied Russian fighter buys: "we are buying defensive weapons only, air defence equipment and helicopters for anti-terrorist use, not sukhois or migs." There had been previous reports...

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during July 2012. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 31 July 2012. The July 2012 update was separately updated to reflect the GoI denial of Bulgarian/Polish arms deals. The “ISF Total Force Mobilization Update July 2012” was published reflecting the apparent changes in the command structure and planned force composition. These articles will not be addressed here. Highlights in this update include: - Claims of KRG arms deals by unknown officials; Rumors of UH-1s or AH-64s for the KRG not supported...

This is an update to the December 2011 Article. The major change is that the consolidation of Operational Commands point toward 11 total ISF Corps in Wartime [10 Frontal/1 Reserve] and the 4 developing IA Peacetime Corps being the basis of the Wartime Army structure. Diyala, Samarra, and Kirkuk Operational Commands are consolidating into the Tigris Command. Karbala, Wasit, and Mid-Euphrates Operational Command have consolidated into the Furat Awsat Command. Instead of expanding commands at the corps/army level, the ISF appears to be reducing them to a peacetime IA Corps structure. Additionally, Kurdish elements are not being integrated – instead...

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during June 2012. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 30 June 2012. Highlights in this update include: - 20 Peshmerga Infantry Brigades planned in 2016. - IA Corps forming?; 500 used MTLB “Armored Vehicles” being bought from Bulgaria; Second Batch of BTR4s accepted; Vehicles and artillery salvaged. - Radars for first 18 F16 ordered to be delivered by March 2015; AT-6Bs still possible and Air Defense Command split from IqAF; 10th batch of EC635s received; IA Air Defense Command. - Iraqi...

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during May 2012. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 31 May 2012. Highlights in this update include: 6th FP Division cancelled? Zeravani returning to KRG command. Avenger Air Defense for Iraq; Second batch of BTR4s delivering. Only 18 F16s ordered so far; Fifth An-32 delivered. Baghdad transitioning to Federal Police in July; Anbar PSF becoming FP Division?

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during April 2012. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 30 April 2012. Highlights in this update include: * Romanian arms blacklisted; Second Batch of BTR4s ready for delivery while rumors continue of contract cancelation; 50/14 and 53/14 Brigades upgrading to Mech/Armor; Iraqi Army Upgrade Status Chart added. * EC120Bs for KRG Police/SAR; Contract awarded for support of 30 Bell 407s; third AN-32B delivered; F16 training at Al Asad; 24 F16s by end 2014?; Iraq to join GCC to provide Air Defense?

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during March 2012. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 31 March 2012. Highlights in this update include: - 10 battalions shifted to Baghdad for AL Summit; Rumors of BTR4 cancellation continue. - Aviation contracts to announce in April, L159s still in contention. - OSVs identified, 9 PBs delivered with 12th to deliver in May. - Rumors of increased control of Basrah security by Baghdad.

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during February 2012. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 29 February 2012. Highlights in this update include: - KRG receives 5 helicopters for police. - Operational Commands converting to Corps?; 11th Division moving to Wasit?; IA Mountain Force to be formed?; More M113s or duplicative reporting?; K1A1 tanks for Iraq?; Armor update. - Aerospace Defense Command re-established?; “8th Batch” of EC635s delivered; Korean T-50 Jet Trainer still in contention. - MoI controls Independent Security Battalions?

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during January 2012. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 31 January 2012. The article “Iraqi Army Development Status January 2012” was written separately and will not be addressed here. Highlights in this update include: 8th RGB located; Iraqi Government not implementing agreements on Peshmerga. Little new at Army Day Parade; No contracts from Russia shopping trip. Still looking at L159s but, no contract. 2 OSVs to deliver in third-quarter 2012. New ISOF website.

The Iraqi Army is the most developed service in the Iraqi Security Forces but, it has major components missing. The absence of sufficient support, anti-tank, logistics, artillery, and especially the total absence of air defense, makes the IA incapable of effectively fighting any of the countries bordering Iraq. Without those components, the IA is just an internal security force – unable to successfully fight a conventional war.

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during December 2011. The article “ISF Total Force Mobilization Update December 2011” was published separately and will not be addressed here. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 31 December 2011. Highlights in this update include: * Kurdish forces still working with ISF; KRG getting a utility squadron of helicopters. * Iraqis shopping in Moscow; Mortars and unidentified armor received from Serbia; Kalsu to be IA Logistics Base. * Iraqis say they need 6 squadrons of F16s; First squadron of F16s ordered;...

This is an update to last year’s article. The major changes are the elimination of the previously planned new IA divisions, the start of mechanizing of 2 IA divisions, the addition of another corps-level Joint Operational Command, further indications of additional planned mechanized/armor upgrades, and indications of planned wartime redeployments. Forward defense is Iraq’s only real option. Too many key areas are close to the Iranian border. However, Iraq does not have the force to successfully defend Iraq against a conventional invasion. The ISF is trained and equipped for internal security – not external. Iraq is fair game to any...

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during November 2011. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 30 November 2011. Highlights in this update include: * IA emphasizing Field Artillery; 15,600 additional IA being recruited. * First An-32B delivered; First F16s deliver in 2014-2015; Second order of F16s planned; C130Js to deliver starting 2012. * Sixth PB delivered. * Golden Lions to be MoI Battalion?

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during October 2011. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 31 October 2011. Highlights in this update include: * IMoD not ready until 2020-2024; Possible Greek M60s for IA; 2-34/9 is first Tank Regiment identified training on own M1A1s; Possible 155mm ammunition sale; More Trucks? * ISOF expanding? * Reorganization of OOB.

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during September 2011. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 30 September 2011. Highlights in this update include: * Final M1A1 Tanks arrive; Southern Iraq Iranian-border regions reinforced; Generals transferred. * IqAF not ready; Pilot training; Down-payment on 18 F16s.

This Iraqi Security Force (ISF) update provides a summary of changes to the ISF during August 2011. The article Iraqi Armor Armor Status August 2011 was published separately and will not be addressed here. The Iraqi Security Force Order of Battle is updated as of 31 August 2011. Highlights in this update include: * 4 more Regional Guards Brigades; Manila Training Center transferred to Kurdish Regional Guards; Regional Guards Brigades in north Diyala working with IA and US forces. * M1A1 tanks completing delivery; Howitzer deliveries; 10th Iraqi Army All Inclusive Training; Logistics increase in south; additional ILAV purchases; T72...

In a statement to PUKmedia, Colonel Nouri Abdul Karim Mustafa, Commander of the Third Battalion of the Fourth Brigade of Kurdistan Region Guards forces (The Peshmerga) , said that at 9 am on Friday morning, Border Guards Forces entered Jalawla sub- district , to form a joint force with the Iraqi army under the supervision of coalition forces. This step is the beginning of the Peshmerga forces deployment al- Saadiya sub- district as well , and perhaps in the areas of Mandali, Qaratapa, and the Kurdish Separated Areas in Diyala province, Colonel Mustafa clarified.