Iraq may be moving closer to a long-discussed acquisition of the Dassault Aviation Rafale, with new reporting suggesting negotiations have entered a more advanced phase and that a contract could be signed in 2026.
Citing Iraqi sources, French aviation outlet Avions Légendaires reported on December 16, 2025, that Baghdad and Paris are in late-stage discussions over the potential purchase of 14 new-build Rafale F4 fighters.
Reported deal centers on 14 Rafale F4 aircraft
According to the report, the package under discussion would include 10 single-seat Rafale C aircraft and four two-seat Rafale B variants, all delivered to the Rafale F4 standard.
The F4 standard includes updates to communications and tactical data exchange, as well as evolutions of the RBE2 AESA radar and the SPECTRA electronic warfare suite, the introduction of the SCORPION helmet-mounted display (HMD), and the TALIOS targeting pod, which incorporates embedded mapping and expanded detection and tracking capabilities
The reported discussions also include a weapons package of MICA NG and Meteor air-to-air missiles, alongside Safran’s AASM Hammer guided weapons.
Neither Iraqi authorities nor Dassault Aviation has publicly confirmed the scope, value, or timeline of the reported deal.
Training visit to France adds a visible signal
As pointed out by the French publication, the Rafale reporting coincides with a recent visit to France by two senior Iraqi officers responsible for air force training, Major General Ali Majeed Muhammed and Colonel Ayad Rokan Ahmed.
According to French Air and Space Force communications, discussions in Nancy focused on fighter conversion training for Mirage 2000 and Rafale aircrews, including syllabi and the use of simulators. Additional meetings in Cognac addressed basic and advanced flight training, including the PC-21-based training system and the Mentor 2 framework.
While such engagements do not confirm an aircraft purchase, they are consistent with preparatory work typically associated with the induction of high-end combat aircraft.
A long-running Iraqi interest
Iraq’s interest in the Rafale is not new, with earlier reports suggesting that the country would pay a potential contract with oil rather than cash.
Over the past several years, Baghdad has explored multiple options to diversify and rebuild its combat aviation capacity, amid operational and sustainment challenges affecting its US-supplied F-16IQ fleet. Other avenues have included reported interest in the Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 Thunder.
In 2013, Iraq finalized an agreement with South Korea for 24 T-50 jets, commonly described as serving both advanced pilot training and close air support roles. The contract, including training and support, was initially valued at $1.1 billion, with long-term support potentially taking the total toward $2 billion. Deliveries of the first aircraft began in 2017.
Iraq is also expected to begin strengthening its ground-based air defenses, after years of limited capability. Baghdad is set to receive the first of South Korea’s KM-SAM (Cheongung-II) medium-range surface-to-air missile systems in early 2026 as part of a $2.8 billion contract signed with LIG Nex1 for eight batteries in September 2024.
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