Iraq’s Vow To Modernize Air Defense After U.S.-Saudi Strikes Is Nothing New

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has ordered his military to raise alertness and readiness in response to recent joint US-Saudi airstrikes against Iran-backed militias. The government is reportedly prioritizing the acquisition of radar and air defense systems, but this is not a new development.

Iraq’s air defenses have long been criticized as inadequate, despite its history of being targeted by drones and missiles from neighboring countries. A proposed deal with South Korea to acquire Cheongung-II missile systems has been plagued by delays and funding issues, with Iraq still waiting on the second installment of a $2.78 billion contract signed in 2025.

The country’s military and security apparatus is hamstrung by corruption, sectarian divisions, and external interference. The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a state-sanctioned paramilitary group with ties to Iran, often operates independently from Baghdad and at odds with government policies.

The US-Saudi airstrikes caught Iraq off guard, highlighting the country’s woefully inadequate air defenses. Despite plans to acquire advanced radar systems and fighter jets, Baghdad has yet to demonstrate a serious commitment to modernizing its air power. The UAE, for instance, received its first Cheongung-IIs during the Iran war and promptly put them into service with impressive results.

Iraq’s flirtation with Russian S-300 and S-400 systems in the late 2010s was telling. Baghdad knew that acquiring these systems would risk triggering American sanctions under CAATSA but seemed willing to take that risk nonetheless. The fact that talks were eventually suspended due to the threat of US penalties suggests that Iraq’s security priorities are often at odds with its economic and diplomatic interests.

The recent airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq are part of a broader pattern of regional escalation, with tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis simmering for months. Regional security experts closely watch Baghdad’s air defense modernization efforts, noting that a combination of Korean and Turkish systems could provide a layered defense against ballistic missiles and drones.

However, integrating these systems into Iraq’s military structure will require more than just cash – it’ll need a serious commitment to reforming the country’s military and security apparatus. This is not just a matter of bureaucratic red tape or financial mismanagement but speaks to deeper structural problems within the Iraqi state.

The recent airstrikes in Iraq have resulted in the deaths of at least 20 PMF fighters, with many more injured. Every delay and setback in modernizing Iraq’s air power puts lives at risk. The next big attack may come sooner rather than later, and when it does, Iraq will need more than just promises to keep its people safe.

Iraq’s air defense conundrum is not a new problem but one that has been plaguing the country for years. In the late 2010s, Baghdad openly flirted with upgrading its air defenses with Russian S-300 and S-400 systems, only to have talks suspended due to US sanctions. This cycle of promises and empty pockets is familiar to regional security experts.

Countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have made significant investments in their air defenses but are not immune to attacks from drones and missiles. For Iraq, the challenge will be to break out of this cycle and develop a coherent security strategy that balances its competing interests and priorities.

As Baghdad continues to navigate this treacherous landscape, one thing is certain: the next big attack may be just around the corner. The country needs more than just empty promises to protect itself – it needs a serious commitment to modernizing its air power.