Pakistan to provide training to Iraqi air force

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Monday said that Pakistan will provide assistance to Iraq in fields of training and development. He was talking to General Anwar Hamad Ameen Ahmed, Commander Iraqi Air Force who called on him in Islamabad on Monday, the PM's office said. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan Air Force has a rich experience in training personnel's of friendly countries and will, undoubtedly, assist in developing Iraqi Air Force on modern grounds. Later the Pakistan Air Force and Iraqi Air Force signed two agreements regarding training to Iraqi forces and sale of aircraft. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Federal Minister for Defense Production Mr. Rana Tanvir Hussain witnessed the signing ceremony of the agreement. According to one agreement, Pakistan Air Force will provide Training to Iraq Air Defense Force personnel, in all sphere of Modern Air Force concept pertaining to different field special Air Defense, and Air Crew. The agreement was signed by Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt from Pakistan Side and General Anwar Hamad Ameen Ahmed, Commander Iraqi Air Force form Iraqi Side. This was followed by the signing of contract of sales of Super Mushshak Aircraft to Iraq by General Anwar Hamad Ameen Ahmed and Air Marshal Sohail Gul Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex at Kamra, some 50 kilometers from Islamabad. The sale of Super Mashshak aircraft to Iraqi Air Force is a major milestone in the export of aviation products of Pakistan. Lt Gen Anwar Hamad Ameen Ahmed and the Commander of the Iraqi Air Force and Lt Gen Jabbar Ubaid Kadhum, Commander Iraqi Air Defense along with a nine-member delegation is currently visiting Pakistan. The delegation also paid visited several defense sites including the Air Headquarters in Islamabad and held talks Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt. The Iraqi delegation is on an eight day visit to Pakistan. During their stay, the delegation will visit various AF Bases and installations, a PAF spokesman has said.