ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraq is open to productive partnerships with French companies to enhance the defensive capabilities of the Iraqi armed forces, the country’s prime minister told the French ambassador to Iraq in a meeting on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani met with the French Ambassador to Iraq, Patrick Durel, with the discussion focusing on the overall bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to enhance and expand cooperation in various economic and development fields.

Sudani highlighted Iraq's “openness to productive partnerships with French companies, especially in their contribution to infrastructure reconstruction and enhancing the defensive capabilities of the armed forces,” according to a statement from the PM’s media office.

“The cooperation includes technological upgrades in the military sector through signed contracts, notably with the French company Thales,” the statement added.

Thales, is a global technology company that is dedicated to advancing digital and deep tech innovations like Big Data, AI, and cybersecurity, it specializes in defense, aerospace, digital identity, and transport sectors.

The Iraqi Ministry of Defense is reported to be seeking military cooperation with several allied countries, especially France, to strengthen its air defense capabilities.

Iraq has entered into a strategic contract with French defense company Thales Group to bolster its air defense capabilities. According to reports from Iraqi state media, Thales is set to supply Iraq with four GM403 long-range air defense radars as part of the initial phase of the contract. This agreement also includes the provision of a command and operations center.

In July 2022, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the operations center, Emmanuel Younk Foy, a representative of Thales, revealed details of the contract. Furthermore, the second phase of the agreement will see the delivery of an additional 14 GM200 radars, further augmenting Iraq's defense capabilities.

In September 2022 a high-ranking officer from the Iraqi Air Defense Command (IADC) was quoted as saying that the “agreement with the French defense company Thales Group to procure 6 ground-based radars, including 4 long-range Ground Master-403 (GM-403) is the stepping stone toward further cooperation.”

In August of 2023, the Iraqi government granted approval for the Ministry of Defense to contract with the French company Thales to acquire radar systems.

“The objective of this agreement is to enhance defense systems, secure Iraq's airspace, assert national sovereignty across the nation, and provide support to our armed forces in their designated responsibilities,” read a statement from the PM’s office at the time.

Simultaneous with signing these contracts to improve the Iraq armed forces abilities, the Sudani government has been pressing for the conclusion of the Global Coalition's mission in Iraq. The cabinet contends that Iraq no longer faces significant threats.

During a seminar on the sidelines of his official visit to the Netherlands in February, Sudani stated that “the government has requested the Global Coalition to Combat ISIS to end its mission in Iraq, given the readiness and efficiency of the Iraqi security apparatus.”

In the seminar, Sudani affirmed that “Iraq is currently undergoing recovery on various levels, following the stage of the war against ISIS, in which the Iraqi people triumphed with the support of the international community, with the Netherlands among the supportive countries.”

“We have requested the Global Coalition to end its mission in Iraq, which has lasted for 10 years, given the readiness and efficiency of the Iraqi security apparatus,” he added.

Recently, there has been escalating demand in Iraq to end the mission of the Global Coalition and withdraw US forces from the country, following mutual strikes between these forces and Iraqi armed groups affiliated with Iran. This comes against the backdrop of a war waged by Israel, with US support, on Gaza since October 7.

Since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza, the region has witnessed escalating tensions and mutual strikes between Israel and its main allies, the United States and UK, on one hand, and armed groups supporting Palestinian factions, represented by Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthi group in Yemen, and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, supported by Iran, on the other.

Last April, Sudani embarked on his inaugural official visit to the United States. During his visit, he engaged in discussions with key American officials, including President Joe Biden, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

President Biden and PM Sudani agreed to review these factors to determine the conclusion of the Coalition's mission in Iraq, transitioning to enduring bilateral security partnerships in accordance with Iraq’s Constitution and the US-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement.

On the other hand, the Council of the European Union (EU) adopted a decision on April 29, extending the European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM Iraq) until 30 April 2026.

“We are grateful for the continued support of the Mission by the EU Member States and are honored by the trust in our work by our Iraqi partners,” said Anders Wiberg, Head of EUAM Iraq.