Iraq to buy air defence system and narrows down candidates to three countries

Iraq revealed on Monday it will be purchasing new air defences from one of three countries after the state allocated a budget for the missile system.

Bader Al-Ziyadi, a member of the security and defence committee in the Iraqi parliament, said in a press statement that this year's budget would not cover the cost of new air defences but that the country needs such a system.

He said that Iraq could buy the military equipment from Russia, France, or South Korea.

"Iraq needs a sophisticated air defence system," covering the full extent of the country, said Al-Ziyadi.

Iraq has been in a state of conflict and instability since the US-led invasion of the country in 2003, almost all due to internal fighting.

Hakim Al-Zamili, an Iraqi MP and a former head of the security and defense committee, previously told RT that negotiations were taking place between Baghdad and Moscow on the possible purchase of Russia's S-400 missile system.

Such a deal could subject Iraq to US sanctions though, as has happened to Turkey when it bought the S-400 air defence system.