New drone video in Iraq lifts a corner of the veil on Iranian drone program

June 14, 2015, 11:33 am

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By @green_lemonnn

If Iranian drones in Iraq are new to you, please make you sure have read Adam Rawnsley articles on this subject (1).

Since the Fall of Mosul one year ago, Iran is fully committed to the Iraqi government in his anti-"Islamic State" organization fight. On the ground, the army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution (IRGC) advisors were dispatched on various fronts to support Iraqi security forces. On the air, Iranian air force occasionally bombed Islamic State positions in Diyala & Salahuddin provinces (2). Iranian drones also joined the battle in the early July 2014 (3). While it's still unclear if the drones are operated by Iranian operators, it's now well known that Iranian made drones are used under Iraqi flag (4) or directly by Popular Mobilisation units (5).

On the 13th June 2015, Al Etejah TV, a pro-Iranian Iraqi TV channel, aired a video of Kataib Hezbollah's "Basir 1" drone flying near the city of Baiji in Salahuddin province (6). The video shows a reconnaissance drone monitoring what looks like 2 "Islamic State" Suicide VBIEDs. The interesting part of the video is actually the data surrounding it. A closer look reveals the similarity between the drone formatting metadata in Al Etejah video and a video of Iran most advanced drone, Shahed 129, aired by Iranian Channel 2 during the 9th Great Prophet wargame (February 2015) (7) . That said, the drone seen in video isn't a Shahed 129 but an Ababil 3 (8). You can clearly see the Ababil 3 lading gear at 1:30. This suggests Ababil-3 & Shahed 129 use a similar video processing software despite having a different sensor. 

Special thanks to Adam Rawnsley (@arawnsley) and Arnaud Delalande (@Arn_Del)

Sources

1- Adam Rawnsley articles :

- https://medium.com/war-is-boring/a-bunch-of-iranian-drones-have-crashed-in-iraq-a7610cdb815b

- https://medium.com/war-is-boring/irans-drones-are-back-in-iraq-ed60bb33501d

2- Babak Taghavee interview with The aviation

http://theaviationist.com/2014/12/04/iriaf-strikes-isis-in-iraq/

3- Picture posted on 4th July 2014 by Islamic State social media shows a Mohajer 4 drone lost west of Samara.

/files/justpaste/d229/a9312419/ek-t9-xz.jpg

4- /files/justpaste/d229/a9312419/ek-t9-xz.jpg&

5- Yassir drone used by Harkat Al Nujaba
http://www.uskowioniran.com/2014/12/yasir-uav-in-use-with-harakat-hizballah.html
6- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKioGk3bSqw
7 - https://youtu.be/I1ee6PLfFzU?t=2m7s
8- Note that an Ababil 3 with Iraqi markings was downed in the same province and made it to an "Islamic state" propaganda video https://archive.org/details/aali2006aa_yahoo_20150214#

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Iraqi Army Aviation used improvised base to be closer to the fighting

June 16, 2015, 3:00 am

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During the battle of Tikrit on March, Iraqi Army Aviation used an improvised base near Samarra to support operations over the city (see IQAF and IAA in the battle of Tikrit). Other type of airstrips are used by Iraqi forces like parts of highways for maintenance and refueling. Shortly before the liberation of the city, Bell IA-407 and Mi-171E were spotted by Badr Brigade fighters on the highway east. Actually, with the increase of the number of sorties, any valid place is used to drop helicopters.

Photos of the impovised base on the highway east before the liberation of Tikrit

Photos of the impovised base near Samarra during Tikrit battle

New photos and video of Iraqi Mi-28NE training pilots

June 19, 2015, 3:00 am

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Pictures and videos of "Havoc" helicopters are rare because they are involved in a limited way for the lack of readiness of the crews. These footage were taken in Camp Taji few weeks ago during training mission for new Mi-28NE pilots. Currently, many pilots of others squadrons are sollicited to make the role of navigator. These two photos below were taken by a pilot of 21st Armed Reco Squadron who were involved in these training missions.

This picture and video were taken at the same period in Camp Taji.

OPS room at Camp Taji

New pictures added June 25th, 2015

The discreet use of BGM-71 TOW ATGM in Iraq points to Iran

July 24, 2015, 7:37 am

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The discreet use of BGM-71 TOW ATGM in Iraq points to Iran

Iraqi security forces (ISF) and popular mobilization units (PMU) are fully engaged in a bloody fight against the self-named "Islamic State" (ISIS) and their local allies since June 2014 and the fall of Mosul city. In this fight, foreign support to Iraqi government revealed to be crucial. After the rapid expansion of ISIS, Iran poured fighters and military support into Iraq.  The not exhaustive list of Iranian military assistance to Iraq includes  IRGC Su-25K and Su-25UBK, M-40 106mm recoilless canon & 107mm MRLS variant of Safir tactical, 120mm HM-20 and HM-27 MRLS, AM.50 sniper, T-72S MBT, rifles, night vision equipments, munitions. On the anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) ground,  ISF and PMU are lightly equipped with Russian supplied 9M133 Kornet (ATGM) that some analysts took for the Iranian variant of the missile, the Dehlaviyeh. Despite producing a significant varieties of ATGMs, there was no evidence of Iranian supplied ATGM... until the battle of Jurf al Sakhr in October 2014. Indeed, Fars News Agency, an Iranian semi-official news agency, released a report on Jurf Al Sakhr on the 26th October 2014 who went unnoticed. Was included in the article a picture of Asaib-Ahl-Al-Haq fighters posing in front of a TOW ATGM launcher. 

AAH fighters with a TOW ATGM launched - Jurf Al Sakhr

Iraq is not known to have received any TOW ATGM from United State. The fact that an Iranian backed Shia force, not ISF, was seen with the missile point to an Iranian origin of it. After the battle of Jurf Al Sakhr, more evidences emerged showing PMU forces with TOW ATGM. The Iraqi Al Sumaria news agency posted on the 5th March 2015, a photo-reportage covering the Tikrit battle. One of the pictures shows Badr fighters with a TOW ATGM launcher. 

Badr fighters with a TOW ATGM launcher - Tikrit area

One can argue that the TOW ATGMs may have been captured from ISIS fighters who're known to operate a limited number of US/Gulf provided TOW ATGM in Syria. Indeed, the Jurf Al Sakhr & Tikrit TOW ATGMs have the standard optical sight which is widely used by countries who operate the TOW ATGMs. 2 evidences shut down the US/Gulf TOW ATGM's option. Firstly,  the 3 yellow bands on the tripod point to Iran. In effect, Iranians use this specific pattern for their TOW ATGMs . The US/Gulf provided TOW ATGMs have a 3 black bands on the tripod.   Secondly, you have noticed the green tape on Tikrit TOW ATGM. This is actually an Iran electronic industry security seal used to make sure no one opens the launcher. Most of Iranian TOW ATGMs have this green tape. For example, you can find a close-up of the green tape here during a military event in Rashd. The green tape is also present on the Hezbollah's TOW ATGM. 

The last picture of TOW ATGM in Iraq was posted by the Facebook fan page of Salam Al Dirawi,  Badr commander, head of Basra PMU who was killed in a road accident last week. The picture taken in Hamrin mountains last April shows Dirawi holding a TOW ATGM without launcher. The TOW ATGM bellow have a red band (for the warhead) and a black band (for the propellent).  This not the standard color codes of TOW ATGMs. Usually, the TOW ATGMs have a yellow (  HE explosive) or blue ( practice) and a brown (Low explosive charge usually used for spotting or expelling the payload). 

I was unable to find another TOW ATGM using a light red band for the warhead but some of Iranian and Hezbollah TOW ATGMs use a black band for the propellent. 

Late Badr leader, Salam Al Dirwai with a TOW ATGM missile.

The scale of TOW ATGMs deliveries is still not clear but compared to the other iranian military assistances (T-72S, Safir, HM-20...) the ATGMs keep a very low profile. Still, the increasing use of tactical suicide vehicles by ISIS against ISF & PMU will probably bring the TOW ATGMs under the spotlights 

Update : On the 3rd August, Liwa Ali Al Akbar commander, Abu Turab shared a picture of he thinks to be a downed "spy device". What he's holding in his hands is actually the launcher motor of a BGM-71 TOW ATGM. Thanks to Badr activists, i was able to find the location and more picture of the missile parts. The missile was recovered in Al- Siniyah, east of Baiji where ISF & PMU are fighting ISIS since months. 

Given the absence of distinctive elements, it's not possible to confirm the Iranian origin of this TOW ATGM but it's safe to say that this is the first time a TOW ATGM was used in Baiji front. 

PS : Special thanks to The Arkenstone & Oryx. 

New DIY heavy rocket deployed by Iraqi popular mobilization unit.

July 29, 2015, 5:47 pm

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Image of a new type of rocket appeared on Iraqi social media, reportedly coming from source close to Asaib Ahl Al Haq (AAH).

Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) use a huge varieties of DIY heavy rockets.  Al Qaher, Al Batar, Al Ashtar, Falaq-2 improvised rocket assisted munitions (IRAM) are among the most used DIY rockets in Iraq. With the growing use of DIY rockets, whole brigades were dedicated to the development and the use of DIY rockets like Badr's Katiba Sawarikh Ababil. The DIY rockets differ in name, shape, weight but they adopt the same basic design which consist of  a (heavy) warhead and a rocket engine.

As i'm writing,  little is known about this DIY rocket.  From what we can see, the rocket has two stages. A warhead ( quite similar to the warhead of AAH Ababil rocket ) and a rocket engine. The engine is the interesting part. Unlike the others DIY rockets, the engine here is clearly identifiable. The rocket use a solid propellant booster taken from a S-75 Dvina variant surface-to-air missile fitted with four large clipped delta stabilizing fins. The markings suggest it's actually a Chinese variant of the S-75 Dvina, the HQ-2 . Indeed, those parallel lines are present on the HQ-2 but not on the S-75 Dvina.

Chinese HQ-2 - Beijing Military Museum

PMU fighters told me that they are quite satisfied with the payload of their DIY rockets but often complain about the short range of it (2-3 km). With this booster, the rocket is assured to have a much longer range than the previous ones. Most of Iraqi S-75 Dvina didn't survive the 1990 and 2003 war and the HQ-2 isn't known to have been provided to Iraq. Beside China, the HQ-2 was provided to Pakistan, North-Korea and Iran. So, this could have been provided by Iran.

And for the record, this is not the first time parts of S-75 Dvina missile are used for a surface-to-surface missile. Saddam Hussein era Al Samoud ballistic missiles were based on elements of the Soviet S-75 Dvina.

This article will be updated once more information is available

Libyan Army Mi-35P are now active

August 17, 2015, 3:17 am

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By Green Lemon and Arnaud Delalande

Background

After the election of 2012, Libya was governed by the General National Congress (GNC) headed by Muslim Brotherhood with Nouri Abusahmain as president elected in June 2013. In December, the GNC refused to hold new elections and decided an extension of its 18-month mandate for a year until the end of 2014. On February 14th, General Khalifa Haftar, a former officer under regime of Muammar Gaddafi ordered to dissolve the GNC and called for the formation of a caretaker government committee to oversee new elections with little effect on the GNC. On May 16, “Operation Dignity” was launched by General Haftar against the GNC and Islamist armed groups in Benghazi.
On June 25th, the new House of Representatives elections defeated the Islamists who accused the new Council of Deputies parliament of being dominated by former dictator supporters and continued to support the GNC after August 4th when the Council took office. On July 13th, “Operation Libya Dawn” was launched by Misrata militias and Islamists against Tripoli International Airport captured from Zintan militia on August 23rd. Shortly after, the ex-GNC members voted for the replacement of the Council they rejected by the New GNC with Tripoli for capital and Nouri Abusahmain as president. The new Council of Deputies was then forced to come to Tobruk and supported General Haftar forces.

During the Libyan uprising in 2011, most of the Libyan Air Force aircrafts were destroyed by NATO airstrikes. After the first civil war, the Free Libyan Air Force was reduced to a few former G-2 Galebs, J-21 Jastrebs, L-39s, Mig-21bis, Mig-21UMs, Mig-23MLs and 23UBs, with the adding of the two Mirage F1EDs that defected to Malta and some transport aircrafts like An-32 and C-130H in poor flying conditions. The Libyan Army Aviation consisted in Mi-8, Mi-17 and Mi-35 helicopters.

Libyan Mi-35 fight in both sides

In 2013, at least three Mi-35s were transferred from Sudan to Libya. Excepted new roundels, these helicopters carried their Sudanese codes (serial 954, 958, 959). Mi-35 serial 958 crashed on July 4th, during an Air Show in the eastern city of Benghazi killing two of the three crew members, co-pilot being severely injured. The accident occurred while a military parade was underway at Benina AB. Another Mi-35 crashed near the coast of Essider under unknown circumstances on February 12th, 2014.

The former Sudanese Mi-35 that crashed on July 4th, 2013 during an Air Show

During “Operation Dignity”, the Hinds were intensively used by General Haftar forces against Benghazi Islamist militia groups’ bases and units of “February 17th Martyrs Brigade”, “Libya Shield No. 1 Brigade” (or “Deraa No. 1 Brigade”) and “Ansar al-Sharia”. "Operation Libya Dawn started two months later, on July 13th, 2014. The "Libya Dawn" Army had only one Mi-35 in services in Zawara airport.

Photos of a Dawn militias' Mi-35 helicopter taking off from Zuwara airport

Libyan Air Force acquires Mi-35P

On April 26th, 2015, four new Mi-35P helicopters were delivered in Marj AB to the Libya National Army (LNA). They appeared to have been delivered from the U.A.E.

One of the four Mi-35P seen on April 26th, 2015

 

On August 11th, first Mi-35Ps delivered in April were seen in Tobruk AB and in flight with new serial “352” and “353”.

Thanks to Beyond The Levant

Video : TV documentary on Iraqi Army Aviation

August 18, 2015, 12:34 am

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This documentary about Iraqi Army Aviation was broadcast on Iraqi TV Saturday, August 15th, 2015 (Mi-28, Mi-35, Mi-17, Bell IA-407, Eurocopter EC-635, UH-1H)

Video of Iraqi Mi-28NE using 9M120 Ataka missile

August 24, 2015, 3:30 am

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Iraqi Army Aviation received its first batch of Mi-28NE on August 28th, 2014. They were engaged in combat quickly. On 1st February 2015, a new batch of two helicopters was delivered by Antonov An-124 transport aircraft. By April, the "Havocs" were deployed to Camp Taji, some of them were used for the training of new pilots on the type. The Iraqi Mi-28 were already seen carrying rockets launchers, but never with ATGM, so that we wondered if the Iraqis had received some. This recent video below shows the FLIR of an Iraqi Mi-28NE in combat. It uses its canon and for the fist time the launching of one 9M120 Ataka missile (AT-9 Spiral-2) can be seen.

Translation :

Pilot 1 :
- "Ataka"
- "Has the missile been dispatched ?"
Pilot 2 :
- "It has been fired and is on it's way !"
Pilot 1 :
- "Can you switch the target now ?"

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Video - Iraqi F-16IQ entered in action

September 6, 2015, 3:19 pm

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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".

In January 2011, Iraq signed an initial contract for $3 billion for the acquisition of 18 F-16C/D Block 52s (12 F-16Cs and 6 F-16Ds). On May 2nd, 2014, the first Iraqi F-16D made its first flight in the sky of Forth Worth followed by an official delivery to Iraq on June 5th. Iraqi Air Force pilots started training on two Lockheed Martin F-16Ds on December 16th to Air National Guard facility at Tucson International airport in Arizona. Initially, first aircrafts had to arrive in their Iraqi base in September, but the progression of the Islamic state militants on all the country stopped this transfer together with the fact that Balad AB was not ready and enough secure. On June 25th, 2015, one Iraqi F-16C together with its pilot, Brig. Gen. Rafid Mohammad Hassan was lost during night ACT. On July 13th, two F-16C and two F-16D landed at Balad AB.

Iraqi pilots train in Belarus and Pakistan

September 21, 2015, 3:00 am

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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

According to AeroHisto sources, these pilots have completed their training in Belarus and will return to Iraq in the coming weeks. This new training session was decided in an effort to relieve increasing pressure and fatigue on current pilots who are over-solicited.

Others Iraqi pilots have started to train in Pakistan Air Force Academy (PAFA) at Risalpur before join Korea to fly on FA-50. On February 18th, 2015, President of the Senate of Pakistan announced that his country will train Iraqi military pilots. The pictures below show the selfie of one of them on board one of the 60 K-8 Karokorum in service with the College of Flying Training.

Video : embedded onboard an Iraqi Su-25

September 24, 2015, 7:32 am

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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”.

The video below was taken by a pilot of the 109th Squadron while returning to its base after an attack mission on ISIS positions.

My publications in October

October 1, 2015, 8:39 am

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This month, I publish in October issue of DSI Magazine with an article about Iraqi Air Force Order of Battle and its engagement against Islamic State. Ce mois-ci, je publie dans le numéro d'octobre de DSI Magazine avec un article sur l'ordre de bataille de la force aérienne irakienne et son combat contre l'Etat Islamique.

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

October 10, 2015, 6:46 am

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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.

They have already carried out reconnaissance missions from their own air base at al-Kut. The drone squadron is attached to Iraqi Army Aviation, not Iraqi Air Force as usual in others air forces. The pictures below show one CH-4B carrying HJ-10 ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missiles), equivalent of the AGM-114 Hellfire. A chineese operator can be seen behind Defence Minister, proof that Iraqi  are not yet autonomous in their use. The CH-4 drone is inspired by the MQ-1 Predator and designed by China Aerospace Long March International (ALIT). This UAV is available in two versions: one that can carry a payload of 345 kg, the other of 115 kg.

On the video below, we can see the footage of the first flight of the CH-4B serial "YI-801" with a final shot of HJ-10 missile on a ground target. Four units were spotted, (one on the runway, one on the apron and two others in hangars).

Thanks to Green lemon and Babak Taghvaee

First footage of Iraqi Air Force T-50IQ

October 12, 2015, 2:32 pm

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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.)

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

October 15, 2015, 2:55 am

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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.


- Iran increased its train & equip program for the National Defence Forces (NDF) and Syrian Army (SAA) shortly after the meeting. More fighters are now being formed in Lattakia ahead of an Idlib/Aleppo offensive. Announced retreating   Pictures shared on social media also suggest Iranian made TOW ATGMs (Toofan) were delivered late June-July.

Iranian made TOW ATGMs also recently showed up in Aleppo in Kataib Sayed al Shuhada's hands, an Iraqi shia group.  Some of Harkat Al Nujaba, another Iraqi shia group, members are also known to have been trained on iranian made TOW ATGMs by Hezbollah instructors. 

As pointed here, the presence of Iran Electronic industry security seal (the green tape), the 3 yellow bands on the tripod,  the dark green missile cover, and the 4 letters serial  are all Iranian made TOW's distinctive sign.


- Video posted by rebels fighters in Hama region also indicate a close cooperation between Iran and Russia regarding intelligence gathering on rebels fighters. Videos show Iranian Mohajer 4 UAV are flying over the same area bombed by Russia.

- One of the most used Iranian vehicle in Iraq, the Safir tactical  is also showing up in Syria. An M-40 106 mm recoilless mounted Safir tactical was recently used in Al Ghab plain against Syrian rebels and their allies. 

Far from being exhausted after a 4,5 year civil war, Iran and Russia decided to double down on Syria, regain lost territories and pursue the political solution in a better position.  

Special thanks to 

Oryx Blog and Ivan Sidorenko

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Exclusive footage of Iraqi Army Aviation engaged near Ramadi and Baiji

October 18, 2015, 2:36 pm

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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.

The second video was taken by ground troops during the combats of Baiji in October. Two helicopters flying low level engaged an ISIS position just a few seconds apart. First one is an Eurocopter EC 635 that carried an attack using its FN Herstal HMP-400 12.7 mm machine gun and launching 70 mm Hydra rockets from its FZ-233 pod. Second helicopter is a Bell IA-407 that made a low pass attack using its machine gun.

Reborn of the Yemeni Air Force began ?

October 28, 2015, 2:30 pm

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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.

In October,  UAE Air Force started to train Yemeni pilots at Al Anad on IOMAX AT-802 Border Patrol Aircraft. They have already provided CAS (Close Air Support) to their forces in Taiz and Al Baydhah. Targets were weapons storage and vehicles. Therefore, Al Anad air base is officially operational and Yemeni Air Force is being rebuilt. It is most likely, UAE AT-802 will be donated eventually to Yemenis, as some of the UAE military vehicles. The video below shows three of the UAE AT-802 (including serial "2204") piloted by Yemini, carrying two GBU-12 laser-guided bombs, two Roketsan Cirit Launchers with four 2.75" Laser Guided Rockets on four of their six under-wing hardpoints and a FLIR Systems EO/IR (electro-optical/infrared) on the central hardpoint. UAE Air Force has 24 "Air Tractor" in service with Group 22.

Update :

In September 2014, a 41.5 million USD contract was awarded by the US Air Force's 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, but this contract was abandoned due to the current political situation in Yemen. Four of the AT-802s initially earmarked for Yemen will be delivered to Jordan for a 9.78 million USD contract awarded by US Department of Defense on 27 September. So we can suppose UAE gave Yemenite AF some of its own aircrafts temporarily to fill the gap until Yemen receive theirs.

Special thanks to @saikhamk and @muh_Alqahtani

My publication in November

November 3, 2015, 3:00 pm

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

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

November 4, 2015, 2:07 am

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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.

The FLIR video below show the first shot of an Ingwe ATGM missile by Iraqi EC-635 begining November.

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

November 4, 2015, 4:43 am

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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.

The single-seat L-159 ALCA (Advanced Light Combat Aircraft) version entered service in April 2000 and the two-seat L-159T version, in 2007 in Czech Air Force (19 L-159As in 212th Tactical Squadron and six L-159T1s in 213th Training Squadron). On August 9th, 2015, first three of the future Iraqi aircrafts were probably seen in Aero Vodochody factory : two L-159As (Czech serials “6065” and “6068”), and one L-159T1 (Czech serial “6067”). On September 5th, it was announced that first four L-159s would arrive mid-September, but the delivery was still reported to the end of the year. The two pictures below show the first two L-159s with Iraqi markings seen at Plovdiv Airport. One of them carry serial "5903". According to AeroHisto sources, first L-159s will arrive at Balad airbase today.

Iraqi Air Force L-159 serial "5903" seen at Plovdiv Airport (@ Dimo Vichev)

Two Iraqi Air Force L-159s seen at Plovdiv Airport (@ Dimo Vichev)

Update : New photos of serial "5903" and "5904"@Chavdar Garchev