Iraq's prime minister says his country will purchase 36 fighter jets from the United States, more than doubling the number Iraq was previously planning to buy.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told reporters Saturday in Baghdad that Iraq needs to be able to protect its sovereignty.
Iraq had previously planned to purchase 16 F-16 fighter jets but the plans were put on hold earlier this year. Iraqi officials said they were going to use the money instead to pay for food rations.
Al-Maliki said a delegation from the Iraqi Air Force will head to the U.S. to facilitate the deal.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told reporters Saturday in Baghdad that Iraq needs to be able to protect its sovereignty.
Iraq had previously planned to purchase 16 F-16 fighter jets but the plans were put on hold earlier this year. Iraqi officials said they were going to use the money instead to pay for food rations.
Al-Maliki said a delegation from the Iraqi Air Force will head to the U.S. to facilitate the deal.