Iraq Takes Delivery Of Six KAI T-50 Light Attack Fighters

Iraqi Air force has taken deliveries of at least six light attack fighters based on the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50 supersonic trainer, Alert5 reports citing photos published on the air force’s social media accounts.

Iraq has placed an order in 2013 for 24 jets, including training valued at $1.1 billion, but KAI had announced that it is supporting the aircraft over 20 years, also contracted, which could push the total value of the deal to $2 billion.

The country has ordered 24 jets and based on the serial numbers shown in the photos, at least six jets are believed to have been delivered, the report says.

The Iraqi version of the FA-50, labeled the T-50 IQ, can be armed with air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, machine guns and precision-guided bombs along with other munitions, KAI had said in 2013.

Iraqi Air Force (IqAF) commander Lieutenant General Anwar Hamad Amin had announced last year that the IqAF received its first batch of Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50 jets on 16 March, 2017. 

He said the fighters were delivered with weapons and equipment and would enter service in the near future.