Click to see full-size image, By the Official Twitter account of the International Coalition for Operation Inherent Resolve.
On October 11, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense announced that Iraqi and French fighter jets had conducted a joint exercises over the country.
In a brief statement, the ministry said that two F-16 fighter jets of the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF) and two Rafale fighter jets of the French Air and Space Force (AAE) took part in the aerial exercise. Footage released by the ministry showed the four jets flying in a unified formation over an unspecified Iraqi region.
The U.S.-led coalition, which still operating against ISIS in Iraq, praised the joint exercise, claiming that it will improve the military capabilities of Iraq.
“The advice, assist and enable partnership between international coalition forces and our Iraqi partners takes many forms but the goal is always: building a competent and capable force ready to deter any threat and keep Iraq safe,” the coalition said in a statement.
The French AAE has been operating over Iraq as a part of the U.S.-led coalition since the beginning of anti-ISIS operations in 2014.
However, the joint exercise with the IQAF may have been more than just an exercise meant to improve Iraq’s capabilities against the terrorist group.
In July, a report by Forbs revealed that France is in the process of selling Rafale fighter jets to Iraq. According to the report, the IQAF is looking to acquire at least 14 of the 4.5-generation fighter jet from the manufacturer, Dassault Aviation. The joint aerial exercise was likely meant to demonstrate the capabilities of the jet and push the deal forward.
Military cooperation between Iraq and France has been growing for a few years. In September, the Iraqi military activated the first of several Ground Master 403 long-range radars it recently purchased from France.
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Forbes are soo fullovit!