ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraqi Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari met on Saturday with a Korean company to discuss supplying helicopter aircraft for firefighting and rescue operations, coming as Iraq seeks to strengthen its civil defense capabilities.

In a statement, the interior ministry said the talks with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) focused on expanding cooperation in aviation and providing a fleet of helicopters to support firefighting and emergency response missions. Under the proposal, each Iraqi province would receive two helicopters to be used by civil defense units.

The Korean delegation, which previously supplied the ministry with two KUH-1 Surion twin-engine medium helicopters for civil defense, expressed full readiness to cooperate on the new project. The meeting was attended by senior Interior Ministry officials, including the directors of planning and interior aviation.

Discussions also covered ways to enhance coordination between the two sides, particularly in areas related to civil defense operations. The Korean delegation congratulated Shammari on the occasion of Iraqi Police Day, the statement said.

South Korea has emerged as a key partner with Iraq for defense acquisitions.

Iraq signed an agreement with Seoul in September 2024 to purchase the Korean-made CAM-SAM air defense system as part of efforts to modernize its military and strengthen protection of its airspace.

Iraqi defense officials said the system is among the most advanced available and is expected to significantly boost the country’s air defense capabilities once it enters service.

The deal coincided with broader moves to enhance Iraq’s defensive readiness, including expanded international military cooperation and domestic arms production.

The country's Defense Industries Commission in late March said that local manufacturing of military equipment saved the country about $700 million over two years.