Iraqi Air Defence Command

The Iraqi Air Defence Command (Arabic: قيادة الدِفَاع الجَوِّي) is the aerial defense branch of the Iraqi Armed Forces. It is one of the key service components under the authority of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, responsible for the protection of Iraq’s airspace and critical infrastructure from aerial threats. The current commander is Lt. Gen. Muhannad Ghalib al-Asadi, who also serves as the commander of the Air Force.

Headquartered in Baghdad, the Iraqi Air Defense Forces oversee a network of radar sites, surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, and anti-aircraft artillery units across the country. In recent years, Iraq has undertaken efforts to modernize its air defense capabilities, integrating legacy Soviet-era systems with newer platforms acquired through international partnerships.

Historically, the Iraqi Air Defense Command played a significant role during conflicts such as the Iran–Iraq War, the Gulf War, and the 2003 Iraq War. In the post-2003 period, the command has been in a process of rebuilding and restructuring, with a current estimated strength of approximately 24,000 personnel as of 2025.