Russia delivers ground support aircraft to Iraq

KUWAIT CITY, April 18 (UPI) -- A batch of three Russian Sukhoi Su-25 strike fighters has been delivered to Iraq and will soon enter service, an Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman said.

Nasir Nouri Mohammed al-Tamimi said on Monday the new jets will strengthen Iraq's capabilities in combating terrorist groups such as the Islamic State, according to a report from Tass, a government-owned Russian new agency.

"A batch of Su-25 [three aircraft] has arrived in Iraq in accordance with the contract signed with the Russian side," the spokesman was quoted as saying.

The Su-25, called the Frogfoot by NATO, is a twin-engine close air support aircraft with a combat range of 466 miles, an altitude ceiling of 16,000 feet.

Russia had previously supplied a number of the planes to Iraq.

Additional information on the delivery of the aircraft was not disclosed.