Iraq between Israeli threats and Russian-Chinese offers: Is a major armament deal approaching?

Arab Defense website – September 27, 2025: After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to target Iraq, and the statement of the Russian Security Council Security Sergey Shoigu’s statement about Moscow’s readiness to present its latest military systems to Baghdad, serious questions arise about the possibility of Iraq to conclude a major armament deal with Russia and perhaps China, especially in the fields of air force and air defense systems. In the midst of the increasing regional air threats, such as running planes, ballistic missiles and ghost planes, the need for Iraq seems to be an urgent and integrated air defense system.

On the level of technical options, the Chinese HQ-9 and South Korean L-SAM system stands out as two solutions that are able to deal with different aspects of this challenge. The HQ-9, technically derived from the S-300/S-400 family and locally developed in China, provides a long-range capacity (HQ-9B developed version reaches about 250-300 km and indicators of a height of clash up to 30 km) with the ability to intercept fighters, mobile missiles, ghost planes and short-range ballistic missiles. The system depends on a multi-functional phased hole radar with a detection of about 350 km, and a export version known as FD-2000B is available, and the price of one battery is estimated at 300 and 500 million dollars, depending on the training.

On the other hand, the Korean L-SAM offers a supreme defensive layer specialized to intercept ballistic missiles in the upper layers of the atmosphere, with specifications close to the American “Thaad” system. The extent of combat objection to this system is about 150 km against traditional air targets, while the height of the battlefields of the ballistic missiles reaches about 60 km, and it depends on an advanced AESA radar with a detection of about 500 km. L-SAM is still in the initial production phase and is expected to enter the full service within a few years, while advanced production technologies and the cost of research and development are justified (battery price estimates between 700 and 900 million dollars).

Based on the nature of the varied threats in Iraq and the limited technical and financial resources, it seems logical to adopt a multi -layer approach instead of concentrating dependence on one system. In this context, HQ-9B/FD-20BB can form the back-range air defense of air defense against aircraft and mobile missiles, while layers such as L-SAM provide a specialized capacity to protect the atmosphere from high-height ballistic missiles. In practice, the most appropriate path for Iraq may start with a long-term solution to immediately operating such as HQ-9B or its export version, then gradually expand by adding specialized higher layers or entering into technology transfer partnerships with manufactured countries such as South Korea.

In addition to the air defense, the option to enhance the capabilities of the Iraqi Air Force with combat aircraft such as the Chinese J-10C is also highlighted. J-10C is classified as a multi-task-generation 4.5 fighter, and combines a good maneuver performance with advanced electronic specifications that include an advanced AESA radar of the KLJ-10 with a detection of more than 200 km depending on the radar section, and long-range JL-15E at a range of 145 km, as well as electronic warfare capabilities and a radiology tracking system under Red. J-10C is a strong competitor compared to some Western models, and its prices are estimated by the package between 40 and 80 million dollars for the plane, making possession of a squadron of 50-100 aircraft with support from early warning aircraft and steps that are able to impose effective air sovereignty.

The bottom line and the practical recommendation is that the possibility of Iraq’s orientation towards a major armament deal with Russia remains proposed, but it remains hostage to political and financial accounts as well as technical restrictions. The most realistic path is to build a multi-layer air defense network that begins with a long-range system such as HQ-9B or a Russian alternative, with the addition of a high layer designated for intercepting ballistic missiles such as L-SAM or Russian/American. In parallel, Iraq should enhance its air force through multi-task fighters such as J-10C or even J-35A Chinese ghost, supported by early warning aircraft such as Chinese KJ-500, advanced radars and a suitable logistical structure. The adoption of this phased and hormonal approach allows Baghdad to gradually enhance its defensive flexibility without weighing its budget, while opening the way for technical partnerships and future development that guarantees the sustainability of combat capabilities.

The Iraq article appeared between Israeli threats and Russian-Chinese offers: Is a major armament deal approaching? First on the Arab defense site.

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