Close Menu
Unipath
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Unipath
    • English
      • Русский (Russian)
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • Kurdish
    Subscribe
    • Home
    • Features

      Cooperation in a Crisis

      August 15, 2025

      Lebanese Armed Forces Protects Southern Region of Country

      August 15, 2025

      Saudis Seek Regional Security

      August 15, 2025

      Molding Modern Warriors

      August 15, 2025

      Lions of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service

      August 15, 2025
    • Departments
      1. Senior Leader Profile
      2. Around the Region
      3. Key Leader’s Message
      4. View All

      Professionalism in the Service of Counter-Terrorism

      August 11, 2025

      A Special Soldier to Command Special Forces

      April 9, 2025

      A Forceful Voice Against Violent Extremists

      October 18, 2024

      Service to the State

      January 24, 2024

      Egypt Plays Pivotal Role in Stabilizing the Middle East

      August 11, 2025

      Pakistan’s Air Force Supports Iraqi Counterparts

      August 11, 2025

      Arabian Gulf States Uphold Kuwaiti Sovereignty Over Offshore Gas Field

      August 11, 2025

      Tajikistan Strengthens Security Partnership with Kuwait

      August 11, 2025

      Key Leader’s Message

      August 15, 2025

      Key Leader’s Message

      April 11, 2025

      Key Leader’s Message

      January 13, 2025

      Key Leader’s Message

      August 6, 2024

      Key Leader’s Message

      August 15, 2025

      Professionalism in the Service of Counter-Terrorism

      August 11, 2025

      Egypt Plays Pivotal Role in Stabilizing the Middle East

      August 11, 2025

      Pakistan’s Air Force Supports Iraqi Counterparts

      August 11, 2025
    • About Unipath
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Archive
    • English
      • Русский (Russian)
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • Kurdish
    Unipath
    Home»Features»Improving Iraqi Air Power
    Features

    Improving Iraqi Air Power

    UnipathBy UnipathAugust 30, 2021Updated:September 3, 2021No Comments4 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Telegram WhatsApp Copy Link

    IRAQI MAJ. GEN. (RET.) LUTFI ABDULWAHAB HUSSEIN

    Achieving air sovereignty requires the state to mobilize materiel and morale to achieve a proper balance among all branches of the armed forces. The history of the Air Force in Iraq provides lessons — both helpful and harmful — that can inform the conduct of future generations of military and political leaders.

    The Iraqi Air Force emerged triumphant from its long war with Iran in the 1980s, but much of that local military superiority was squandered during the occupation of Kuwait in 1991, which led to the destruction of half Iraq’s air strength. The resulting shift in the balance of power became a cause for concern.

    An Iraqi pilot receives instruction from a U.S. colleague using a training aircraft popular with U.S. Navy pilots. Staff Sgt. Mike Meares/U.S. Air Force

    In the decades that followed, Iraq was left with deficiencies in two related commands — Air Force and Air Defense — and required a scientifically and technologically based overhaul of the entire system. The deficiencies were numerous:

    Organization: The absence of a clear policy at the state level left a vacuum in military strategy and ambiguity in military doctrine that precluded the integrated operation of the Armed Forces, leading to violations of air sovereignty.

    Training: Shortcomings in international training deprived the country of combat-ready pilots to provide air defense.

    Types and sources of weapons: Procuring weapons from a single source deprived the Air Force and Air Defense of armaments needed to perform its duties to address external threats.

    Infrastructure and use of weapons: Shortcomings in air base infrastructure and auxiliary airfields limited the option of interceptor planes to perform emergency landings after completing missions. In addition, passive employment of weaponry constituted a significant weak point in terms of air sovereignty.

    The Ministry of Defense and the General Command of the Armed Forces formulate the military basis of state policy under the guidance of the political leadership. Civilian leaders alone have the right to direct the military in accordance with Iraq’s foreign policy, considering the materiel, morale and military potential of the state.

    An Iraqi Air Force student pilot trains with a U.S. instructor. (left and right)

    Achieving a level of air power to defend state sovereignty requires the following:

    A command and operational structure designed for the integration and interaction of the Air Force and Air Defense commands that serves air combat.

    Sufficient flexibility to respond to any type of challenge and the ability to evolve in line with threats and available capabilities such as air-to-air weapons, surface-to-air weapons, electronic warfare and radar detection at various altitudes.

    Optimal use of existing capabilities and resources and the development of infrastructure of bases and auxiliary airfields in line with potential theater of operations.

    Establish professional loyalty as the main criteria for leadership positions; do away with the bloated ranks and sectarian quotas in the Air Force and Air Defense commands.

    Conduct meaningful and scientific research into weapon sources for the Air Force and Air Defense commands without adopting the sole source option for weaponry.

    Form near-term plans to integrate Air Defense weapons (intercept aircraft and missiles) and a long-term plan to address the issues mentioned above.

    Summary

    What happened to the Air Force represented a setback.  Wise nations draw lessons from these setbacks so that future generations can guard against them. Developments in aircraft and its technology have been accompanied by developments in their tactical and strategic use. 

    Aircraft no longer operate alone in countering threats to state sovereignty. Weaponry operating in parallel with planes and helicopters, such as air defense systems and drones, provides extra capacity necessary for a strong Air Force.  

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleFighting Terror Finance
    Next Article Navies United Against Threats

    Related Posts

    Cooperation in a Crisis

    August 15, 2025

    Lebanese Armed Forces Protects Southern Region of Country

    August 15, 2025

    Saudis Seek Regional Security

    August 15, 2025

    Comments are closed.

    V13N2

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to our mailing list to get the latest edition of Unipath.

    Unipath
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    © 2025 Unipath. All Rights Reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.