Russia To Deliver 40 Attack Helicopters To Algeria As Part Of Contract Deal

In yet another example of the growing influence and reputation of Russia on the international stage, particularly when it comes to the question of “fighting terrorism,” Algeria will soon receive 40 MI-28 attack helicopters from Russia.

The helicopter, known as the “Night Hunter” in Russia, is reported to be one of the best in the world and it capable of carrying out its missions in both day and night as well as in adverse weather conditions. The helicopter comes with a MI-28NE modification capability that allows the ship to be flown from the pilot’s cockpit and the operator pilot’s cockpit.

The delivery of the Russian helicopters to Algeria is nothing new. In 2005-2006, Russia provided Algeria with 28 Su-30MKA, 16 Yak-130 jet trainers and 185 T-90S tanks. In 2015, a contract was signed for the delivery of 14 Su-30MKA fighters in 2016-2017. The current transfer of the MI-28 helicopters are the result of a bilateral agreement between Russia and Algeria.

“The Algerian military is satisfied with the quality of Russian weapons, which has proven itself well in the specific conditions here, namely the desert with its extremely high temperatures and sandstorms. So there are good prospects for continuing close cooperation in the military-technical area on a wide nomenclature of supplies,” Alexander Zolotov, Russian Ambassador to Algeria, told RIA Novosti in an interview.

Yet, while the deliveries are not newsworthy in and of themselves, the context in which they occurare worth discussing.

Algeria, of course, is becoming concerned with increasing amounts of ISIS activity in the region, notably in Libya and Tunisia and is focusing on policing its borders with the two embattled countries as well as with Niger and Mali for that reason. The Algerian government, which has reacted quickly to terrorist threats in the past, is perhaps worried that ISIS attacks may eventually begin to take place inside its borders, particularly as a result of Western targeting of the governmental structure in the future.

In February, Algeria and Russia embarked upon a plan to deepen bilateral military and economic cooperation.