Iraq's PM Maliki in Russia seals $4.2 billion arms deal

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (R) meets with his Iraqi counterpart
Nouri al-Maliki at the Gorki residence outside Moscow October 9, 2012.

Russia confirmed on Tuesday signing more than $4.2 billion in arms deals with Iraq during the second half of the year that make it into the nation's largest weapons supplier after the United States.

The negotiations reportedly covered Iraq's purchase of 30 Mi-28 attack helicopters and 42 Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile systems that can also be used to defend against attack jets.

Further discussions were said to be underway for Iraq's eventual acquisition of MiG-29 jets and heavy armoured vehicles along with other weaponry.

Maliki's talks with Medvedev were due to be followed on Wednesday by a meeting with President Vladimir Putin that was expected to also focus on new Russian energy deals in the oil-rich Middle East state.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Oct-09/190717-iraq-buying-$42-billion-in-russian-weapons-official-document.ashx#axzz28nyaquwY

Looks like Iraq is diversifying their sources of arms.