Iraq receives fighter jets.

[auntyice]

Left the RAF many years ago, but from bits to operational in three or four days seems a little optimistic.


BBC News - Iraq receives Russian fighter jets to fight rebels (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-28077273)

[Fg Off Bloggs]

Available maybe but who's going to fly them? Russians?

[Basil]

Iraqis had the SU25 long ago; must have some qualified people and other FJ pilots who could be trained - quickly.

[BBadanov]

FMD Basil, they lost their Su-25s in 1991 !!

23 years ago... Current, or "quick to train", I think not

[PhilipG]

Beyond who is going to fly these planes, what weapons does Iraq have that it can use, or are weapons part of the deal?
Which gets us to the ground crew question, or is to be another mercenary situation?

[AtomKraft]

Don't know I'd call an Su-25 a fighter.....

"Ideal tool for the job?"..... Yes.

[TEEEJ]

BBadanov wrote

they lost their Su-25s in 1991 !!

After 1991 Iraq still had Su-25s in service.

In January 1998, the Iraqi Air Force still possessed 12 Su-25s, and at least three Su-25Ks were seen in a demonstration over Baghdad in December 2002. However, the remaining Su-25s were phased out immediately after the 2003 Invasion of Iraq.

Sukhoi Su-25 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-25)

Some of those Su-25 after the invasion in 2003. Iraq buried some of them.

http://i1.tinypic.com/rsfo9c.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/rsfmo3.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l230/lwcolors/Su%2025/1.jpg

http://www.mdcigars.com/image/SU-25.JPG

Some more images and info at following link

Iraqi Su-25 Frogfoot (http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?30936-Iraqi-Su-25-Frogfoot)

[500N]

I think some were part of the 50 aircraft found when the Australian SAS + others captured the Al Asad airbase in 2003.

[TEEEJ]

PhilipG,

Iran is one option for support of the Su-25s. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Air Force operate Su-25s some of which are ex-Iraqi. Probably a mixture of Iranian, supplier and mercenary support.

Aerospace Force of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerospace_Force_of_the_Army_of_the_Guardians_of_the_Islamic_ Revolution)

[Lowe Flieger]

Conflict in the middle east invariably involves belligerent rhetoric. Unrealistic claims of military capability are therefore not unknown. In this case it may be either to try to spook the insurgents or reassure a population rightly asking what the government is doing to restore order.

What residual capability to arm, operate and support these aircraft still exists in Iraq is a moot point. This is an instance of dire need so standards will be secondary to getting the aircraft to the front line. Even so, operational capability a few days after delivery of the aircraft is asking a lot. Unless this is some sort of of sharp-end PFI where a complete 'service package' is provided - aircraft, weaponry, crew, ground-crew spares, and so on. I'm sure, officially, it could all be done as it seems to have been done in Ukraine, that is, without the Russian military taking any active part.

I suppose there is the possibility that this deal has been in progress for some time and has only come to light because of the circumstances. That could shorten the time to OC, but it still looks a challenge. Perhaps they could get one in the air for a few show of force passes over Tikrit? I can't recall if there have been any reports of the insurgents having any MANPADS or other effective point defence against low-flying jets.

LF

[skydiver69]

I don't know much about FJ operations but isn't there more to using jets for a ground attack other than having trained pilots? What about weapons, maintenance, planning, intel and coordination with ground forces. Does Iraq have any capability in those areas given their lack of FW aviation since 2001.

[500N]

I can't recall if there have been any reports of the insurgents having any MANPADS or other effective point defence against low-flying jets.If some had come from Syria where they say they have shot down both helicopters and aircraft, it would seem likely.

[Basil]

All comment appreciated and accepted.
The Su-25 aircraft may not be flown by Iraqi pilots (No matter how much some old, bored Iraqi fifty-something may be delighted to receive a call to arms ;))

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Shades of 'Independence Day'

KUWhjjfOFec

[TEEEJ]

The Iranians have now supplied to Iraq a number of Su-25s. Some of these are former Iraqi Su-25s flown to Iran in 1991. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force (IRGC AF) markings and Iranian roundel/flag have been painted over. The following video from the Iraq Ministry of Defence shows some of the Iranian Su-25s arriving in Iraq.

ah7HP6d42m8&feature=related