Iraq plans to complete its air-defense shield in three years instead of six

Iraq is cutting the planned timetable for completing and modernizing its air-defense system from six years to three, as the government moves to place control of the country’s skies entirely in Iraqi hands.

Sabah al-Numan, spokesman for the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, called the accelerated schedule a top strategic priority driven by national-security requirements and rapid developments in the region. He said protecting Iraqi airspace was no longer a deferred option, but the foundation of state power and effective sovereignty.

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Accelerating the completion and modernization of the Iraqi air-defense system, within a three-year timetable, represents an absolute strategic priority imposed by national-security requirements and the rapidly changing developments in the region.

Al-Numan said an integrated system equipped with modern surveillance and early-warning technology would help Iraqi forces track hostile targets and respond to unconventional threats, especially drones and missile attacks at different altitudes. He said the system would also protect strategic infrastructure, including oil facilities, airports, military bases and command centers.

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Protecting Iraq’s skies and securing its airspace is no longer a deferred option, but has become the fundamental pillar of the state’s power and the effective exercise of its sovereignty.

Major General Yahya Rasool, spokesman for the Defense Ministry, said the ministry was working to complete the air-defense network. He said Commander-in-Chief Ali Faleh al-Zaidi had directed officials to reduce the timetable to three years. Iraq’s armed forces have five main commands: the army, navy, air force, air defense and army aviation. Rasool said the system must be completed and operate in a balanced way.

Rasool said the army chief of staff had originally submitted a six-year study based on the available budget. After visiting the air-defense command, however, al-Zaidi ordered the period cut to three years without affecting the system’s construction capabilities. Technical delegations are holding continuing meetings with established companies, and officials said the coming period would bring a shift in the air-defense file.

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The commander-in-chief of the armed forces directed that the plan to develop the air-defense system be accelerated to three years.