Iraq has signed a contract to purchase 14 helicopters from Airbus, including 12 multi-mission combat aircraft of the Caracal H225M model, to bolster its defence capabilities, the French embassy in Baghdad announced.

The agreement was signed by Arnaud Montalvo, director of Airbus Helicopters' Middle East and North Africa branch, and Major General Mohammed Hussein Mulla, director of the General Directorate of Armament and Equipment at the Iraqi Ministry of Defenc, Al Sumeria reported.

The signing ceremony was attended by Iraqi Defence Minister Thabet al-Abbasi and French Ambassador to Iraq Patrick Durel.

The Iraqi military has been rebuilding and modernising its equipment since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003. Its inventory includes a mix of Western and Soviet-era hardware, reflecting its complex procurement history. Key assets include American M1 Abrams tanks, Russian T-72 tanks, and various armoured vehicles. The Iraqi Air Force operates a fleet that includes F-16 fighter jets, Su-25 ground attack aircraft, and various helicopters. 

Deliveries will begin in early 2025 and span several months, though the contract value was not disclosed.

"Today's signing is the fruit of long-standing discussions between French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani", Durel said in brief remarks at the conclusion of the ceremony. "We are proud today that we have achieved this result, which will enable Iraq to strengthen its capabilities and sovereignty".

Al-Abbasi affirmed that the agreement aims to enhance the capabilities of the Iraqi army and its air force.

The heavy-lift Caracal H225M helicopter (11 tonnes) is used for search and rescue, transport, attack, and special forces missions.

Baghdad and Paris have long expressed their desire to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.

France deploys forces in Iraq as part of the international coalition established by Washington in 2014 to combat the Islamic State group.

"Our forces fought together against terrorism and the ISIS organisation", Durel added. "You can count on France to contribute to strengthening the country's sovereignty and security (...) and on our armed forces and various industrialists (...) to strengthen this relationship in all areas".

Montalvo told media, "Airbus's goal is to deliver the helicopters as quickly as possible because it is an urgent operational need for the Iraqi army, so our objective is to meet this need".

He noted that "the Iraqi army already uses Airbus-made products", adding that the Caracal H225M fighters "are similar to the helicopters operated by the French Air Force, which is a symbol of cooperation between our two countries".