ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s interior minister has ordered the immediate deployment and preparation of newly imported helicopters from South Korea to strengthen the country’s civil defense directorate, as Iraq continues to grapple with a persistent and often deadly fire crisis.
Abdul Amir al-Shammari on Monday chaired a meeting with officials from his ministry’s aviation and operations directorates to “discuss the operation of the newly arrived aircrafts” from Seoul, the ministry said in a statement.
Shammari emphasized “the importance of maximizing the use of these helicopters for rescue and firefighting missions,” directing that “the sorties should be effective and the missions assigned to these aircraft should be executed.”
The interior minister also instructed that all “logistical preparations be completed to ensure the helicopters are ready for day-and-night operations,” so they can play a pivotal role in bolstering the civil defense directorate’s capabilities.
This move comes as Iraq continues efforts to modernize its aerial fleet.
In December 2024, Iraq's defense ministry signed a deal with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the export of KUH-1 Surion utility helicopters, acquired specifically for firefighting and emergency response.
The contract, reportedly valued at $93.7 million, involves a limited number of helicopters and is expected to be fulfilled by March 2029.
The civil defense directorate told Rudaw in August that Iraq recorded over 3,000 fire incidents in the first half of 2025. Contributing factors include aging infrastructure, poor electrical systems, overcrowded public spaces, and the widespread absence of basic fire safety measures.
One of the most severe incidents occurred in mid-July 2025, when a blaze at a shopping mall in al-Kut, the capital of Iraq’s southern Wasit province, claimed 63 lives.
Beyond the KUH-1 Surion helicopters, Iraq has been working with South Korea to procure additional military hardware, including the KM-SAM air defense system, also known as Cheongung-II, capable of intercepting aircraft and ballistic missiles.
The Iraqi defense ministry reported in late September that Baghdad is set to receive the KM-SAM system in early 2026 as part of a $2.8 billion contract signed with South Korean company LIG Nex1 in September 2024.
Major General Tahseen al-Khafaji, a defense ministry spokesperson, then described the deal as "a qualitative and unprecedented step in the history of the defense ministry."
In late September as well, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani met South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back in Baghdad to discuss strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in the areas of “armament and defense.”
Sudani underscored the importance of advancing cooperation with Seoul by “adopting the latest defense technologies, particularly in air defense systems.” He noted that Iraq has “a clear plan and program” for defense modernization, guided by defined priorities under agreements already signed with South Korea.
Gyu-back confirmed that “continued coordination” is underway to “deliver the air defense systems to Iraq early next year,” in line with Baghdad’s “strategic vision.”
Comments
Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.
To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.
We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.
Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.
Post a comment