Iraq Enhancing Weak Air Defense With South Korean And Turkish Systems

BusinessAerospace & DefenseIraq Enhancing Weak Air Defense With South Korean And Turkish SystemsByPaul Iddon,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Paul Iddon is a freelance journalist focused on Middle East affairs.Follow AuthorMay 12, 2026, 09:49am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.'KORKUT 25mm Close Air Defense System', "BUKALEMUN GNSS Deception System", "KANGAL FPV Anti-Drone System", "SEDA 100-Cuav Acoustic Drone Detection System" and the IHTAR, which is developed to neutralize mini and micro UAV threats, are displayed at Aselsan booth during SAHA EXPO 2024 International Defense and Aerospace Exhibition at Istanbul Fair Center, Turkiye on October 23, 2024. (Photo by Serhat Cagdas/Anadolu via Getty Images)Anadolu via Getty ImagesAs it awaits delivery of medium-range Cheongung-II air defense, anti-ballistic missile systems, also known as the KM-SAM, from South Korea, Iraq has also finalized a deal for 20 air defense systems from Turkey. The move indicates that the Middle Eastern country, which has had its airspace violated with impunity during the last two Iran wars, is eyeing strengthening its limited air defense with a layered system capable of combating a multitude of airborne threats. Baghdad is finalizing a deal for 20 air defense systems from Turkey, The National, a UAE-based news outlet, first reported on May 6. While the report did not specify which Turkish-made systems Iraq is acquiring, it did quote Iraqi Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Lt. Gen. Saad Harbiye, saying that: “New air defenses against drones have become really important for Iraq.” Turkey has developed several indigenous air defense systems in recent years, which it is integrating into its emergent, multilayered integrated air defense system dubbed Steel Dome. Systems include the short-range Korkut ant...