Iraqi MP: parliamentary committee reviewing defense, interior ministry arms contracts

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A member of Iraq's Parliamentary Security and Defense Commission said the committee is reviewing arms contracts signed by the Defense and Interior Ministries, including past deals for weapons, vehicles, missiles and aircraft. Ahmed al-Hazali said large sums were allocated to security units and the two ministries in previous years, but poor planning and imports prevented the procurement of equipment at the desired level. Al-Hazali said the commission has received files on the ministries' contracts and is examining them with consultants and the Legal Committee. He added that the review will cover procurement of older weapons models alongside vehicle, missile and aircraft agreements. The committee will refer any cases of corruption uncovered during the review to Iraq's anti-corruption body and the judiciary, al-Hazali said, adding that the work is running in parallel with the broader anti-corruption campaign. He noted that priority in new arms procurement will be given to advanced air defense systems, with Russian, Chinese and U.S. options under evaluation in coordination with the Air Defense Command. No further details on specific contracts were immediately available.