The Iraqi Air Force (IqAF) has taken delivery of three T-6A Texan II training aircraft in Tikrit, increasing the number of total training aircraft to 11.

The IqAF will use the T-6As to develop a self-sustaining pilot training programme and train new pilots before flying more sophisticated multirole fighter aircraft.

Currently, the US Air Force’s 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron is training 12 instructor pilot candidates to serve as instructors in the T-6A aircraft.

The first four instructor pilots will complete training by summer 2011, and the remaining eight by 2011.

The IqAF received its first four T-6As in December 2009, followed by an additional four in February, with another four scheduled for delivery in November.