Russia will Deliver Helicopters and Air Gun-Missiles to Iraq

Russia will deliver gun-missile Pantsir-S and combat helicopters Mi-28NE air-defense systems to Iraq in arms deals worth $4.2 billion signed earlier this year, said the government today.

 The text was published on the subject of talks held on Tuesday by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, and his counterpart Nuri al-Maliki, at the residence of chief of staff in Gorki, outside Moscow.

The Arab visitor announced an invitation to Medvedev to travel to Baghdad in order to strengthen bilateral relations.

The agreements were signed between April and August during the visit to Russia of military delegations headed by the acting Minister of Defense Saadoun al-Dulaimi, it was reported.

The television reported that Iraq has acquired around 50 Pantsir complexes and 30 helicopters known as nocturnal hunters for their ability to meet mission for 24 hours a day, regardless of weather conditions.

Meanwhile Pantsir are equipped with intelligent radar, automatic function and are very effective in defending against aircraft, cruise missiles, precision weapons and supporting anti-aircraft forces during the massive bombing of the enemy.

This visit will end on Thursday, when President Vladimir Putin will receive the visitors to discuss the prospects of Russian-Iraqi cooperation in the political, trade, economic and humanitarian fields, reported the press service of the head of state.

A note delivered to the media states that one of the key topics of the talks will be possible further collaboration in joint investments and participation in energy projects in Russian corporations.

Putin will take advantage of Maliki's visit to talk about the Middle East situation and the need for a political solution to the conflict that destroys Syria, without violation of the sovereignty and interference in the internal affairs of the Arab state.