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View Full Version : Iraqi AF's first Block 52 F-16 takes flight...


Rhino power
8th May 2014, 15:31
In stark contrast to Vitesse's thread on the abandoned Iaqi AF aircraft, here are a couple of links to stories about the brand new Block 52 F-16's they're getting...

The Aviationist » Iraq?s brand new F-16 Block 52 makes first flight in weird, exotic camouflage color scheme (http://theaviationist.com/2014/05/07/iraqi-air-force-f-16s/)

First flight achieved by an F-16 for Iraq - 5/7/2014 - Flight Global (http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/first-flight-achieved-by-an-f-16-for-iraq-399000/)

-RP

Lonewolf_50
8th May 2014, 15:41
I like the paint job.

What's Arabic for "Viper?" :)

ValMORNA
8th May 2014, 19:08
I think the Arabic for viper is 'afa'.

Courtney Mil
8th May 2014, 20:55
Just remind me again which side they're on? I mean Iraq, not LockMart. Didn't the US once sell stuff to Iran? Didn't the UK once supply stuff to Iraq? Something slightly odd about this. Maybe it's a case of of "if we sell them some good kit, they'll always be our friends." :confused:

Lonewolf_50
8th May 2014, 21:29
Courtney, if you go far enough back, we nuked Japan.
That play is not in the cards now.

Perhaps change is to be embraced.

Rhino power
8th May 2014, 21:39
It's the spoils of war, the US, and others I hasten to add, have done very nicely out of equipping our new 'allies' with new military kit, not to mention the 'rebuilding' of Iraq...

-RP

500N
8th May 2014, 21:43
Rhino

Has anyone done an analysis of how much the US pumped in, often in cash versus the return - or as you call it, the spoils of war ?

Yes they sold some gear to them and got a few contracts but at what total cost to the US and allies ?

Rhino power
8th May 2014, 21:55
500N, I'm sure there is an analysis somewhere of cash expended vs contracts 'won' but, I'm not aware of it, if indeed it has even been made public?

-RP