According to a video published on April 1, 2024, by the Iraqi Defence Industries Commission (DIC), Iraq has reportedly launched the local production of what seems to be the Chinese VN22, a 6×6
The Iraqi Defence Industries Commission is actively pursuing a strategic blueprint aimed at bolstering Iraq’s defense capabilities. Among its key objectives, the establishment of a cutting-edge defense industrial base stands out. This initiative seeks to fulfill the comprehensive needs of Iraq’s armed forces and security apparatus, encompassing a wide array of weapons, equipment, and ammunition.
The Iraqi military’s equipment primarily comes from various international manufacturers, including the United States, Russia, and Soviet Union-origin vehicles and weaponry. While there is significant diversity in the origins of Iraq’s military hardware, the current publicly available information does not specifically list modern Chinese military equipment as part of their arsenal.
Recent defense relations between China and Iraq have significantly deepened, primarily centered on economic cooperation, infrastructure development, and energy. These developments come amidst Iraq’s broader attempts to rebuild and stabilize the country following years of conflict.
China has been a key player in Iraq’s reconstruction efforts, especially in the oil, agriculture, and housing sectors. In 2019, Chinese companies agreed to construct 8 million residences across almost all provinces in Iraq, showcasing the scale of China’s involvement in the country’s infrastructure development. This agreement was part of a broader initiative during the visit of the then-Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi to Beijing, highlighting a “quantum leap” in bilateral relations between the two nations.