The Iraqi air force has received two additional F-16 fighter jets, Sputnik news agency quoted Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Col. Steve Warren as saying on Thursday.

"I can confirm that a second batch of F-16s has arrived here in Iraq," Warren stated in a briefing. "It’s quantity of two, which brings the total count of F-16s here in the Iraq air force up to six."

In 2012, Iraq signed a contract to buy its second set of 18 F-16 fighters from the United States, part of a deal to purchase 36 of the jets to rebuild its air force, according to the country's defense ministry.

Warren explained that the lack of trained Iraqi pilots limits US ability to deliver the jets to the country.

Source: MENA