Iraq will buy $26bn of armaments from the US, an Iraqi Defence Ministry spokesman has reportedly said.

Baghdad newspaper Al Ittihad reported Major General Mohammed Al Askari as saying that Iraq had concluded a contract worth $13bn with the US and is expected to spend another $13bn on weapons in the near future.

The country intends to purchase aircraft, helicopters, tanks, other armoured vehicles, warships and missiles.

The armaments are expected to enter service with the Iraqi defence and interior ministries, according to RIA Novosti.