Iraqi lawmaker urges overhaul of military contracts

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A member of Iraq’s parliamentary security committee on Sunday called for an overhaul of military contracts to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities after weeks of drone and missile attacks during the Iran war.

“There is an urgent need to re-evaluate the armament contracts concluded by the Ministry of Defense, whether already executed or still under implementation,” a member of the parliament’s Security and Defense Committee Waad al-Qaddo told state media. “The goal is to determine the efficiency of the weapons used and their suitability for the requirements of the current stage."

The remarks come against the backdrop of the US-Israeli war on Iran, which began on February 28 and triggered retaliatory strikes by Iran and its allied groups on US assets in the region and on Israel, using one-way attack drones and missiles. Iraq and the Kurdistan Region were hit by hundreds of these strikes. Although a two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran was agreed on April 8 and later extended, the Region continues to face attacks.

Qaddo pointed to shortcomings, saying that while Iraq’s radar systems are “good,” there is a need to review contracts to build a defense system capable of countering diverse threats. He emphasized that an integrated system must prioritize air defense and technical upgrades for radar systems to ensure they are fully utilized.

He added that modern threats require a reassessment of Iraq’s military doctrine by combining traditional approaches with advanced technology, noting that this is “especially true regarding combat and suicide drones,” which he described as a “growing challenge”.

Qaddo said confronting such threats requires adopting advanced countermeasures, including modern technical solutions and “specialized weapon systems capable of efficiently neutralizing drones."

According to a Saturday report from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), the Region was targeted by at least 809 missiles and drones between February 28 and April 20, resulting in 20 deaths and 121 injuries, while causing widespread damage to homes, workplaces, and vehicles.