Russia has begun shipping arms to Iraq under a historic multi-billion-dollar contract signed between Baghdad and Moscow last year.\n<\/p>\n
Ali al-Musawi, top media advisor to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, told Russia Today on Thursday that the agreement œentails primarily weapon shipments to combat terrorism.”\n<\/p>\n
Baghdad and Moscow signed the $4.3-billion contract in October 2012, making Russia Iraq™s largest arms supplier after the US, but Iraqi authorities announced in early 2013 that the deal had been annulled for what they described as corruption charges.\n<\/p>\n
However, Anatoly Isaykin, the director general of Russia™s state-run arms trader Rosoboronexport, said in February that the agreement was not canceled, but it has not come into effect yet.\n<\/p>\n
Musawi went on to say, œWe really did have suspicions about this contract,” adding, œBut in the end the deal was signed. We have currently started the process of implementing one of the stages of this contract.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The Iraqi official also stated that Baghdad does not have any plan to acquire œoffensive weapons” and said, œBagdad only strives for securing its own sovereignty, defense of its wealth and fight against terrorism.”<\/p>\n
Reports at the time of inking the deal indicated that it involved Iraq™s purchase of 30 Mi-28 attack helicopters and 42 Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile systems.\n<\/p>\n
Musawi said Iraq was primarily interested in possessing helicopters in an effort to enable its army to hunt down the terrorists staging attacks across the country.\n<\/p>\n
Iraq has been grappling with a spike in bombings and shooting attacks over the past months.\n<\/p>\n
MKA\/HSN
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