Post-Saddam Iraq's first tactical fighter aircraft has taken flight. Lockheed flew the Block 52 F-16D for the first time just a couple days ago, and deliveries of the first batch of four jets are said to be just a couple months away. It looks great, but...Iraq consummated its order for 18 advanced F-16 Vipers, which will be known as the F-16IQ, back in fall of 2011, then quickly exercised an option for an additional 18 Vipers of the same configuration. All told, Iraq stands to receive 36 of these jets, 12 two seaters with enlarged spines and 24 single seaters, along with training, support services, Sniper ATP targeting pods, DB-110 reconnaissance pods, and a load of air-to-ground and air-to-air munitions.
Exactly what America is selling Iraq when it comes to arming their new F-16IQs remains a controversial matter. Although Iraq's F-16s are quite advanced, and much newer than any Viper in US service by over a decade, their weaponry will be stuck in the past.
Currently, Iraq has only been approved to buy the Paveway series laser guided bombs, AGM-65 Mavericks, gravity bombs and rudimentary rockets. When it comes to air-to-air weaponry, the F-16IQ will be armed with AIM-9L/M Sidewinders and AIM-7M Sparrows. Basically, this is an early 1990s loadout of a USAF tactical fighter as the Sparrow relies on semi-active radar homing and thus does not allow for "fire and forget" engagements.
Basically, the State Department and Foreign Military Sales directorate have given Iraq a survivable fighter, with modern systems and great growth potential, but has only allowed it to carry late 1980's vintage weaponry.
