One of 8 ordered Iraqi F-16D's seen at Tucson IAP, prior to delivery to Balad airbase is F-16D-52-CF 1602 (FMS 12-0017). Iraqi F-16C/D's only have 1980's- vintage weaponry (AIM-9L Sidewinder, AIM-7M Sparrow and AGM-65 Mavericks, but no AIM-9X and AIM-120 AMRAAM). This makes the jet usable for internal counter-insurgency operations, surveillance and air defense against lower-end threats like Iran and Syria, but handicaps the jet's ability to skirmish with Jordan, Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other major US allies in the region.

Additionally, sensitive systems on-board the jet, like its APG-68V9 pulse doppler radar, Joint Helmet Mounted Cuing System, targeting pod, electronic warfare suite and identification friend or foe (IFF) system all have tight export controls and have to be serviced by contractors.