Iraq interested in Czech arms

Prague, Oct 18 (CTK) - The Iraqi delegation headed by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki that visited the Czech Republic showed interest in the rifles, submachine guns and pistols produced by Ceska zbrojovka arms maker, its sales manager Jiri Skrabal told CTK yesterday.

Iraqi representatives are also negotiating about establishing a service and training centre for gun servicing in Iraq, Skrabal said.

Iraq was interested in CZ 805 Bren new assault rifles, CZ Scorpion EVO3 submachine guns and CZ 75 P-07 Duty pistols. The number of arms to be delivered is being discussed.

The new Bren assault rifles replaced the old model 1958 rifles. Czech troops have been using Brens both at home and in foreign missions since 2011. The Czech Defence Ministry bought 8000 of the rifles.

Czech armed forces use other arms made by Ceska zbrojovka - Scorpion submachine guns and Phantom pistols.

The Ceska zbrojovka arms maker, seated in Uhersky Brod in southeast Moravia, was founded in 1992, but the company has been operating under a different name since 1936.

Its sales exceeded two billion crowns in 2011, which is the highest turnover in the company's history.

Iraq is ready to buy 28 Czech L-159 combat aircraft worth about one billion dollars. This was the main point of Maliki's visit to Prague last week. The contract is yet to be approved by the Iraqi government.

($1=18.903 crowns)