Russia could sell Iraq its S-400 air defence missile system in the wake of Qassem Suleimani’s killing, a member of the Russian Defence Ministry’s public council has suggested.
Igor Korotchenko, a former magazine editor also known as a flamboyant pundit on Russian TV, said Iraq needed to protect its airspace in the wake of the attack.
“Iraq is a partner of Russia in the field of military-technical cooperation, and the Russian Federation can supply the necessary funds to ensure the sovereignty of the country and reliable protection of airspace, including the supply of S-400 missiles and other components of the air defence system, such as Buk-M3, Tor-M2 and so on,” Korotchenko told RIA Novosti.
A deal with Turkey to purchase the missile system, inked in December 2017, has led to the US suspending its NATO ally’s participation in the F-35 stealth fighter programme over fears the purchase could compromise its security.
Iraq has so far denied any suggestion that it would procure S-400 system from Russia.
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