Iraqi MoD confirmed first CH-4B airstrike

Iraqi Defense Ministry published yesterday the official video already revealed on Tuesday, December, 8th, by AeroHisto blog : the exclusive video of the first airstrike by an Iraqi Army Aviation drone CH-4B, confirming first airstrikes performed by its chinese made attack drones.

 

The first part of the video is similar to AeroHisto footages. The second part show a strike aborted few seconds before the HJ-10 ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile) hits the target due to the presence of children in the area.

First airstrikes for Iraqi CH-4B UAV

Two months ago, first official flight of an Iraqi CH-4B Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was performed during the visit of Defence Minister, Mr. Khaled al-Obeidi at al-Kut Air Base. On December 6th, a CH-4B from 84th Squadron was engaged for the first time in an airstrike in Ramadi destroying an artillery piece hidden in a factory. This gun was targeting Iraqi forces stationed at Palestine Bridge north of the city. On 25 November, with the support of the bombing of the international coalition led by the US, Iraqi security forces (ISF) and anti-terrorism forces regained Palestine Bridge, which crosses the Euphrates. The video below show the FLIR of one of these drones targeting a gathering of ISIS fighters, western of the city of Ramadi, destroying one vehicle with an HG-10 ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile). Iraq ordered CH-4B to China, probably after the visit of Chinese foreign minister in February 2014. First batch was received on January 23rd, 2015.

New Mirage F1 and Su-22 in Libyan Air Force's fleet

By the end of 2014, in al-Watiya AB, Libyan Air Force (i.e. General Haftar's Air Force) started to work to make operational former Su-22s. Ten to twelve of these Su-22Ms were stored in shelters before the uprising and escaped the destruction by NATO because they were decommissioned. In March,on the same air base, photos appeared of a Libyan Air Force Mirage F1AD started to be repaired by cannibalizing other aircrafts. Since December 1st, Libyan Air Force added two new aircrafts in its fleet, a Mirage F1AD (serial 402) and a Su-22(UM-3K) at al-Watiya.

Exclusive photos of Iraqi L-159s ready to be delivered in Iraq

In 2014, Iraqi government signed a new agreement with Aero Vodochody for the supply of twelve L-159 light fighters. A preliminary agreement for 28 two-seater Aero L-159T1 aircrafts was presented in 2012, included 24 newly built aircrafts and four used aircrafts from the Czech Air Force. But this agreement was abandoned in 2013 and new negotiations began. On August 2014 it was announced that Aero would buy back thirteen single-seater L-159As and a few two-seat L-159Ts aircraft from the Czech Ministry of Defense. These would include eleven phased L-159As and four active aircrafts (two L-159As and two A-159Ts). At that time it was planned to deliver only twelve operational aircrafts (ten L-159As and two L-159Ts), while the two aircrafts were to be used as spare parts. On July 30th, Czech Republic Defense Ministry announced that thirty one Iraqi helicopter pilots were being trained. In addition, training of the ground staff was also being prepared to take care of the combat planes in Iraq.

Video : First shot of Ingwe missile by Iraqi Eurocopter EC-635

In 2009, Iraqi Mod signed a contract with France for two dozen Eurocopter EC-635. In 2010, Eurocopter (become Airbus Helicopters) wanted to integrated Ingwe anti-tank missiles (from Denel Dynamics) to the type as part of the Stand Alone Weapon System (SAWS) weapons kit. First helicopter, serial “YI-293” was then sent to South Africa. From early August 2015, according to Defence Web, Iraqi EC-635 added Denel's Ingwe ATGM at their range of weapons. Begining November they carried out first attacks with this new missile. The SAWS features a Belgian FN Herstal HMP–400 12.7 mm machine gun, a French Nexter NC-621 20mm cannon, FZ-233 70 mm rockets and Denel’s Ingwe ATGM. The two pictures below show EC-635 serial "YI-276" carrying Ingwe launchers.

My publication in November

This month, I publish in November issue of DSI Magazine with an article about the intervention of the arab coalition in Yemen inventory of the fighting, losses. Ce mois-ci, je publie dans le numéro de Novembre de DSI Magazine avec un article concernant l'intervention de la coalition arabe au Yémen : bilan des combats, des pertes.

Reborn of the Yemeni Air Force began ?

Since the begining of Operation Decisive Storm on March 26th, 2015, most of the Yemeni Air Force has been destroyed on the ground by the Saudi led coalition airstrikes. Begining May, Al-Dalaimi air base was targeting and one Mig-29, two F-5s, one Mi-8, three Su-22s, two IL-76TDs were destroyed. Most of these aircrafts were probably not airworthy (except the Ilyushins). On August 4th, one Su-22 and one Mig-21 were lost on Al-Anab (close to Aden IAP) during the battle for the taking of the base by coalition airstrikes.

Exclusive footage of Iraqi Army Aviation engaged near Ramadi and Baiji

The first video below was taken by the FLIR of a Bell IA-407 engaged in combat operation in Ramadi area together with Mi-28NE. The action took place precisely in Albu Faraj area near Ramadi on October 17th. Many ISIS positions were destroyed using Ataka missiles and rockets.

My publications in October

This month, I publish two articles in DSI Magazine. First one in October issue with a paper about Iraqi Air Force Order of Battle and its engagement against Islamic State. The second in the special issue of October-November dedicated to British forces with a paper on Royal Air Force engagements history since the 1980's after the Falkland war. Ce mois-ci, je publie deux articles dans DSI Magazine. Le premier dans le numéro d'octobre avec un papier sur l'ordre de bataille de la force aérienne irakienne et son combat contre l'Etat Islamique. Le second dans le numéro hors-série consacré aux forces britanniques avec un papier sur l'histoire de la Royal Air Force et de ses engagements depuis les années 1980 après la guerre des Malouines.

In a close cooperation, Iran and Russia double down on Syria

Last July, a meeting between the Iranian General, Qassem Soleimani, and the Russian President, Validimir Putin, in Moscow was leaked to the media by western intelligence. While the contents of the meeting still secret,  it's believed that the two men discussed the deteriorating situation in Syria where forces loyal to the current President, Bashar Al Assad, lost most of Idlib province, part of Daraa and Homs provinces. Shortly after the meeting, Iranian media reported about a greater military involvement of Russia in Syria alongside Iranian (affiliated) forces.  In September, two major developments occurred. First, independent sources confirmed the transfer of Russian military assets to Syria including modern ground-attack aircrafts, air superiority fighters, armored vehicles. Second, a great "anti-terror" alliance between Russia, Iran, Iraq and Syria (or what remains of it) was announced.  When Russia launched its first "anti-IS" airstrikes against "non-IS" forces it was unclear how this new alliance with Iran would materialize on the ground. Many believed Iran was already all out and couldn't do more in Syria. Further evidences show Iran, alongside Russia, has stepped up support for Syria after the Soleimani-Putin meeting.

First footage of Iraqi Air Force T-50IQ

The photos below show the first Iraqi Air Force T-50IQ with serial number "5001" after leaving the factory and after its first test flight on July 13th, 2015. In December 12th, 2013, 24 T-50 training aircrafts were ordered to K.A.I. (Korea Aerospace Industries). The first aircraft should be delivered in April 2016. The others plane having to be transferred within a 12-month period. Beginning July 2015, reports announced finally the arrival of the first aircrafts before the end of the year. In September, as reported here, Iraqi pilots started to train in Pakistan Air Force Academy (PAFA) at Risalpur on K-8 Karokorum aircrafts before join Korea to train on T-50. (All photos credits K.A.I.)

Video - First official footages of Iraqi CH-4B UAV

On Saturday morning of October 10th, 2015, Iraqi Defence Minister Mr. Khaled al-Obeidi visited al-Kut Air Base and oversaw the launch of the first official flight of Iraqi CH-4B drone that will be used against ISIS. Iraq ordered CH-4B UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) to China, probably after the visit of Chinese foreign minister in February 2014. According to Aero Histo sources, the first batch was received on January 23rd, 2015. First pictures of three units were seen in March.

Video : embedded onboard an Iraqi Su-25

On June 28th, 2014, Iraqi Air Force started to receive Su-25 Frogfoots from Russia and Iran. Five of them where Su-25SMs, seven were ex-IRGCASF Su-25KMs (four units) and Su-25UBKMs (three units). They were based at Al-Rashid AB in the new 109th Attack Squadron formed officially on April 2015. One of the aircraft was lost in summer 2014 when it crashed on taking off. On July 13th, one new Su-25 was delivered by Iran in replacement for the aircraft lost. In September, a new Su-25K, was seen with new color scheme and serial “2502”.

Iraqi pilots train in Belarus and Pakistan

On September 20th, video appeared on social media showing the training of Iraqi pilots on Belarus Su-25. Su-25 serial "82" was already seen at Minsk on May 16th, for the 35th anniversary of the 50th airbase airshow.

Right picture : © Alexandr Lazarev

Video - Iraqi F-16IQ entered in action

On September 6th, the commander of the Iraqi air force, Lieutenant General Anwar Hama Amin told that Iraqi F-16IQ (IQ is for Iraqi F-16) began combat operations on September 2nd. They carried out reconnaissance mission and fifteen air strikes on enemy positions in five days in Salaheddin and Kirkuk provinces, north of Baghdad. Two of the targets were a manufacturing explosive laboratory and a house where a meeting of ISIS leaders was taking place in Hawija, 40 km north-east of Baiji. Three aircrafts were engaged in this mission. They intervened 19 minutes after the receipt of the information from intelligence with "smart weapons".