Russia will supply a large batch of tanks to Iraq this year, according to the Russian Tass news agency in a recent report.

Vladimir Kozhin, the Russian president’s aide for military technical cooperation, revealed that the contract was significant and would likely be followed by ‘other deals’, added the Iraq Business News report.

The total sum of the contract may exceed $1 billion and will be facilitated through Russia’s Uralvagonzavod Corporation (UVZ), the supplier of the tanks, it said.

According to the Tass report, Iraq made the decision to purchase the Russian military hardware following the successful performance of the tanks in Syria.