Iraq’s Prime Minister said his country will purchase 36 fighter jets from the United States, more than doubling the number Iraq was previously planning to buy.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki further explained that Iraq needs to be able to protect its sovereignty.

Iraq this year delayed the initial purchase of 16 F-16 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin after putting $900 million of allocated funds into its national food program to ease pressure from Iraqis protesting against poor basic services.

Al-Maliki said a delegation from the Iraqi Air Force will head to the U.S. to facilitate the deal.

Source: Reuters; Khaleej Times