By Kang Seung-woo
Iraq signed a deal last month to purchase 24 FA-50 light attack aircraft, manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), for $1.1 billion, the biggest achievement in the history of Korea's aerospace exports.
But the Iraqis believe the agreement is more than just a business deal, and that it will pave the way for the two countries to expand their ties.
"First of all, the FA-50IQ is a dual-use aircraft — a trainer and bomber. That is the first aspect of it. It is going to enhance our Air Force in training mode and be used as a bomber if it is needed," Iraqi Ambassador to Korea Khalil Al-Mosawi said in an interview with The Korea Times.
"In my view, the agreement carries with it a built-in relationship beyond equipment because we have a contract now with the company for 20 years for training (pilots) and maintenance workers."
The ambassador said that Russia has been the strongest partner of Iraq for decades because the Russians built the might of the Iraqi army.
In addition to the fight against terrorists, Russia has supplied Iraq with helicopters and other hardware, and Iraq's soldiers are trained there.
Al-Mosawi said that hopes of building up relations with Korea, as well as the aircraft's capabilities, contributed to the two sides striking the deal.
"What does training (pilots) mean (in the contract)? It means people are going to come to Korea, get trained here, get to see the culture, learn the language, maybe understand the music and there will be people from Korea who will go to Iraq," he said.
"This process is a cultural attachment and you are going to weave together relationships ... on the basis of the common interests of the two countries. It is not only delivering the capabilities of the airplane, but this contract is opening a way to bridge a relationship between Iraq and Korea for a long time to come."
While improving those ties, Iraq hopes to use Korea as a steppingstone to fortify its once-dissolved military, the ambassador said.
"After 2003, the Americans dissolved the Iraqi army, something many people consider a mistake," he said.
"So the army is working on recruiting, but the war has destroyed the education, manners and code of conduct in society. In 1980, Iraq's standard was equivalent to Spanish and Greek standards. We had zero illiteracy in the country. Unfortunately in 2003, we had 43 percent illiteracy in society," said Al-Mosawi.
"When you do recruit to the army, obviously all people need training and knowledge. So building an army to a standard that will enable it to safeguard a country like Iraq ... requires partners and supporters for equipment and training.
"We have a good-size army and it is getting equipped with modern equipment, and getting trained to international standards and capabilities. It is still being trained, so I cannot claim that our army is top-notch, but it is building up its experience again, and that is what we can get from Korea."
Meanwhile, the Iraqi ambassador plans to hold an event today to commemorate his country's Army Day, which fell on Jan. 6, in Seoul for the first time.
"This is the first time we have held this activity in Korea because we have just opened our military attache's office at the embassy. But, after that, this is going to be held annually," he said.
For the ceremony, 780 people ranging from government ministries to all those who have an interest in Iraq have been invited.
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Khalil Al-Mosawi |
But the Iraqis believe the agreement is more than just a business deal, and that it will pave the way for the two countries to expand their ties.
"First of all, the FA-50IQ is a dual-use aircraft — a trainer and bomber. That is the first aspect of it. It is going to enhance our Air Force in training mode and be used as a bomber if it is needed," Iraqi Ambassador to Korea Khalil Al-Mosawi said in an interview with The Korea Times.
"In my view, the agreement carries with it a built-in relationship beyond equipment because we have a contract now with the company for 20 years for training (pilots) and maintenance workers."
The ambassador said that Russia has been the strongest partner of Iraq for decades because the Russians built the might of the Iraqi army.
In addition to the fight against terrorists, Russia has supplied Iraq with helicopters and other hardware, and Iraq's soldiers are trained there.
Al-Mosawi said that hopes of building up relations with Korea, as well as the aircraft's capabilities, contributed to the two sides striking the deal.
"What does training (pilots) mean (in the contract)? It means people are going to come to Korea, get trained here, get to see the culture, learn the language, maybe understand the music and there will be people from Korea who will go to Iraq," he said.
"This process is a cultural attachment and you are going to weave together relationships ... on the basis of the common interests of the two countries. It is not only delivering the capabilities of the airplane, but this contract is opening a way to bridge a relationship between Iraq and Korea for a long time to come."
While improving those ties, Iraq hopes to use Korea as a steppingstone to fortify its once-dissolved military, the ambassador said.
"After 2003, the Americans dissolved the Iraqi army, something many people consider a mistake," he said.
"So the army is working on recruiting, but the war has destroyed the education, manners and code of conduct in society. In 1980, Iraq's standard was equivalent to Spanish and Greek standards. We had zero illiteracy in the country. Unfortunately in 2003, we had 43 percent illiteracy in society," said Al-Mosawi.
"When you do recruit to the army, obviously all people need training and knowledge. So building an army to a standard that will enable it to safeguard a country like Iraq ... requires partners and supporters for equipment and training.
"We have a good-size army and it is getting equipped with modern equipment, and getting trained to international standards and capabilities. It is still being trained, so I cannot claim that our army is top-notch, but it is building up its experience again, and that is what we can get from Korea."
Meanwhile, the Iraqi ambassador plans to hold an event today to commemorate his country's Army Day, which fell on Jan. 6, in Seoul for the first time.
"This is the first time we have held this activity in Korea because we have just opened our military attache's office at the embassy. But, after that, this is going to be held annually," he said.
For the ceremony, 780 people ranging from government ministries to all those who have an interest in Iraq have been invited.
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