“To support its F-16 fighter jets, Iraq has signed a $118 million contract with Vectrus Systems.
The contract, which falls under the US foreign military sales program, includes base operations, life support, and other similar services.
The Iraqi government provided all the funds for the initial payment of $57.8 million made at the contract signing.
The project, which is set to be finished by November 2026, is being carried out at Martyr BG Ali Flaih Air Base in southern Iraq. According to the Shafaq News Agency, the Iraqi Air Force uses 34 Lockheed Martin-manufactured F-16C/D fighter planes, which rely on American contractors for maintenance and logistical assistance.
The quantity of mission-ready F-16s has decreased from 20 to 5 since 2020, when US troops were pulled out due to tensions between Baghdad and Washington.
Between 2014 and 2017, Iraq ordered 36 F-16 Block 52+ planes through two foreign military sales contracts. Two of the planes were lost in training accidents in the US.
