A multifunction radar, vertical launcher, and control center vehicles of the KM-SAM battery. (The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea)
South Korea will deliver the first of several KM-SAM medium-range air defense systems bought by Iraq at the start of next year, a step that would significantly reinforce the country’s air defenses, thus limiting Israel’s freedom of action against Iran.
The delivery date was revealed by the Media Director of the Iraqi Defense Ministry in a statement to the official Iraqi News Agency.
“The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Minister of Defense are paying great attention to the issue of arming the Air Defense Command,” Maj. Gen. Tahseen Al-Khafaji said.
“The Ministry of Defense has reached advanced stages in the air defense armament file, as a contract has been signed for the Korean KM-SAM system, which will enter service in Iraq early next year,” the officer continued.
“The system is considered a modern and advanced system, possessing high capabilities and capacities that rival the best international systems, and will play a major role in enhancing air defense capabilities and providing support for Iraq’s airspace and skies,” he added.
The KM-SAM was developed by the Agency for Defense Development with technical support from Russian air defense giants Almaz-Antey and Fakel, based on technology from the 9M96 missile used on S-350E and S-400 air defense systems.
LIG Nex1 manufactures the missiles and integrated systems for the KM-SAM, while Hanwha Systems Co. produces radars and Hanwha Aerospace Co. makes the launchers and vehicles.
The export version of the KM-SAM, also known as Cheolmae II, offers an active electronically scanned array multi-function radar. The system’s latest missile, the Block-II, has a range of 50 kilometers with an engagement altitude of up to 20 kilometers. It also has a hit-to-kill capability which is especially effective against ballistic missiles.
The KM-SAM deal for Iraq, estimated at $2.6 billion, includes eight systems, enough to cover vast parts of the country. The deal first came to light in September of last year.
Iraqi air defenses are currently mainly made up of two dozen Pantsir-S air defense systems which Russia delivered in 2016. The systems are highly-effective and the country has already used one of them to shoot down a Turkish combat drone last year. However, they are designed for point defense on short-range only.
One reason why Iraq has been too keen on improving its air defenses is the recent violations by Israel, which used its airspace more than once to attack Iran, including during the 12-day war last June.
The KM-SAM won’t solve all of Iraq’s air defense problems. However, it could pose a serious threat to the Israeli Air Force. Due to this, it won’t be surprising if Israel attempts to launch some attack, or even starts a whole new short war in Iran before the systems are delivered to the Iraqi military.
Since the last war, senior Israeli officials from the government, military and intelligence have made it very clear that another attack on Iran was possible.
Speaking in front of the Israeli Defense Forces General Staff Forum, alongside Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Defense Minister Israel Katz, ahead of Rosh Hashanah eve on September 22, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared: “We need to destroy the Iranian axis—and we have the power to do so.”
The primer went on to describe the coming year as potentially historic for Israel’s security following the war with Iran in June.
Israel is clearly serious about going after Iran again. While it won’t hesitate to strike Iraqi air defenses if needed, this would further complicate any future attack on Iran both militarily and politically.
Still, this could be done covertly. In fact, on the last day of the 12-day war there were reports of two radar systems in Iraq getting hit by drones, a tactic the Israeli intelligence admittedly used against Iranian air defenses before.
In order to deter Israel, Iraq will definitely need long-range air defense systems. Russia has already offered Iraq such a solution.
At a meeting with Iraqi Defense Minister Thabit al-Abbasi on September 17, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu stated that Moscow was ready to cooperate with Baghdad in all areas of military-technical cooperation.
“We are ready to provide the Iraqi government with the most advanced Russian-made weapons and military equipment, which have demonstrated their tactical and technical capabilities in actual combat situations,” Shoigu said, according to TASS.
“Unlike other major players, Russia offers its foreign partners a wider range of defense solutions in the field of air defense and missile technologies, including for aviation and naval equipment. This allows them to strengthen their defense capabilities and positions in the region,” the security official added.
Iraq has openly declared its desire to purchase S-400 long-range air defense systems from Russia as far back as 2018. However, financial troubles and pressure from the United States hindered the deal at the time.
With a range of well over 200 kilometers, the S-400, operating besides the KM-SAM and Panstsir-S, could solve all of Iraq’s air defense problems at once.
The prospect of such a deal is, of course, another reason for Israel to think about moving faster against Iran. The window of opportunity for Netanyahu could close within a year, if Iraq goes on with its plans.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
if it comes from the south korean us puppets, i am sure it is riddled with “bugs” and a kill switch to allow israel or the us to not only prevent its use against them but to secretly gather intelligence like samsung products.
when the war banker zio cartel re starts / continues this conflict empires will fall in their folly. gold and bitcoin are nice indicators of the central banking cartels continuous follies. if they keep this up some day no soul on earth will honor their currency.
ever thought that a couple of fighter jets would be much more of an air defense and much less likely of sneaky drone-attacks than stationary systems? most likely israeli bomber pilots are as good at dogfights as are their ground troops against armed combatants.
offense is the best defense. iraq should start their own production lines of cheap geran3shaed type drones and use them en masse saturation attacks if their sovereign territory or space is violated and/or attacked by the genocidal, ethnic cleansing, war criminals. expensive aircraft and expensive air defense missile systems are too vulnerable, it just takes a few well placed strikes on them and they’re gone.