CH-5 UCAS emerges in Iraq
On 24 April 2024, during the commemoration ceremony of the 93rd anniversary of the al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Iraqiya (IqAF, Iraqi Air Force), the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-5 Rainbow Unmanned Aerial Combat System (UCAS) of the Iraqi Army Aviation Command (IAAC) saw the public eye.
Back in September 2023, the first rumours about the possible acquisition of the CH-5 emerged and during the International Defence Exhibition in Iraq (IQDEX 2024), held at the Baghdad International Fairground from 20 to 23 April, an Iraqi Army Aviation Command poster showed the CH-5 alongside the CH-4 that is already operated by the IAAC. The CH-4 is operated by 100th Armed Reconnaissance Squadron from 2nd Army Aviation Base (Al Kut) and Scramble Magazine assesses that the CH-5 is operated by the same unit.
The ceremony, that was held at Balad (Martyr Brigadier General Ali Falih Al-Jawiya) Air Base, coincided with a joint exercise between the Aeronautica Militare (IAF, Italian Air Force) and the Iraqi Air Force, resulting in a static display that consisted of Iraqi and Italian aircraft.
Credit photo: screen capture of القوة الجوية تحتفل بالذكرى الثالثة والتسعين لتأسيسها - YouTube