Iraq receives 4th batch of US F-16s fro2011 deal

By Muayad al-Tarfi

BAGHDAD (AA) – Iraq has received a fourth batch of U.S. F-16 fighter jets, the nation's Defense Ministry said Friday.

The four jets arrived at Balad Airbase, the ministry said in a statement, without specifying the date of arrival, adding that this is the fourth batch of this type it has received since July 2015.

“These fighter jets will enhance the capabilities of the Iraqi Air Force, which has proved its effectiveness in confronting the Daesh terrorist group,” Majed al-Ghazzawi, a member of the Iraqi parliament’s Security and Defense Committee, told Anadolu Agency.

Iraq got the third batch of F-16 fighter jets from the U.S. this August, following the first two deliveries this February and last July.

With the fourth batch, a total of 14 F-16s out of 36 purchased by Baghdad in 2011 have arrived, but their delivery has been delayed by pilot training, which can reportedly take as long as two years to complete.