Remnants of Iraq Air Force Are Found

Moderator Location : UK Spotter Watch Member : No

The news that the Iraqi air force may get its hands on MiG-21s and MiG-29s the Saddam Hussein regime had squirreled away in Serbia puts a new wrinkle on the effort to stand up the military service.

New York times story here.

Aviation week summary here.

Location : Lincs

These MiG-21s and MiG-23s have been known about for years. Even NATO left them alone back in 1999 as they sat in the open. Obviously the new Iraqi Government have just found out about them!

I can't see them being employed by the Iraqis. These are extremely old airframes that have been sitting in the open since at least 1990. One of the MiG-23s was a few years ago put on open display in front of the Yugoslav Aeronautical Museum. I expect it is just a recovery exercise for political purposes with the Iraqi Government being seen to be recovering Hussein's assets.

TJ

Location : Lincs

Latest news is that the Serbs may offer some of their MiG-21s to Iraq.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hzRjVbdhE5QJR9p3wR0fZgzVMmqQD9AGLNR80

'Serbia may offer Iraq air force planes

By DUSAN STOJANOVIC (AP) – Sep 4, 2009
BELGRADE, Serbia — Serbia may offer Iraq some planes from its aging air force and train pilots to partly make up for fighter jets sent here for maintenance during the Saddam Hussein era that have now been deemed useless, officials said Friday......'

Some images of the current state of the Iraqi MiG-23 and MiG-21s at the following link at post 23.

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=94055

TJ

Moderator Location : Between Coventry and Leicester

Would not surprise me if the Brits offered the Jags and a few F3's in time.

Location : Peterborough

Interesting thought. The offer of Tornado F3 would be a good one, either ex RAF or soon to be replaced Saudi aircraft.