Medvedev and Bouteflika to discuss prospects for cooperation between Russia and Algeria in the military-technical sphere
Assistant to the head of the Russian state Sergey Prikhodko said yesterday that presidents Dmitry Medvedev and Abdelaziz Bouteflika at the talks in Algeria will discuss prospects for cooperation between the two countries in the military-technical sphere, but no joint documents are planned to be signed in this area.
Discussion of bilateral cooperation in the field of military-technical cooperation is currently extremely important. After the termination of the contract for the supply to Algeria of MiG-29UB / SMT fighters, sufficient time has passed, and the parties can objectively take stock of a number of deliveries already implemented under the package agreement signed in 2006 year, discuss the implementation of a number of recently concluded contracts and enter into negotiations in a number of promising areas of cooperation.
According to the package contract concluded in 2006, 28 fighters Su-30MKA, two KEPT 636 fighters, OBT T-90С, Kornet-E ATGM, MTCN-M1 ATGM, modernization of OBT T-72S, and BMP-2.
The programs for the supply of 2006 Yak-16 UBS, 130 ZRPK Pantsir-S 38, 1 of the C-8PMU-300 Favorit division are in the implementation stage under the package agreement from 2.
In February, 2010, the repair of the next IL-76MD aircraft of the Algerian Air Force was completed. Under the contract concluded by 1 of December 2008 of the year, OJSC AK them. SV Ilyushina "performs the overhaul of the Il-76 / 78 aircraft of the Air Force of Algeria. In the 2010 year, according to the schedule, it is planned to repair 5 Algerian IL-76.
Among the programs for which agreements were concluded in recent years, one should also mention the contract for the delivery of the second batch of X-NUMX Su-16MKA fighters (the contract was signed in 30), the modernization of two rocket boats of the Algerian Navy project 2010E (1234 and 2007), modernization of two patrol boats of the 2008T project (1159 and 2007).
According to TSAMTO, one of the promising areas of further cooperation could be the subject of air defense. In particular, Algeria expressed its readiness to purchase the Buk medium-range air defense system (data on the requested modification of the Buk air defense system are not available). Rosoboronexport also suggests upgrading the Osa-AKM complexes that are in service with the Algerian Armed Forces.
Another direction could be the supply of military transport aircraft, as well as the further modernization of the previously supplied armored vehicles.
Although Algeria is close to signing the largest agreement with Agusta / Westland for supplying 150 helicopters worth 5 billion dollars to 28, further cooperation with Russia on certain types of helicopters, in particular, on the Mi-XNUMXH, is not excluded. The Algerian army also needs additional supplies for the MLRS.
In the future, the option of purchasing the Su-32 multifunctional fighter-bomber is not excluded.
Algeria did not abandon plans for the purchase of light fighters. The Algerian Air Force is considering the possibility of purchasing a batch of Rafale fighter jets. For its part, MiG Corporation offered MiG-35 aircraft to Algeria
Algeria has submitted bids for a wide range of small arms weapons. The Algerian army also needs to purchase weapons for special forces.
In connection with the order of a large number of Russian weapons, of course, the Algerian aircraft will purchase large quantities of various types of ammunition for these weapons. In addition, the possible purchase of night vision devices, communication systems and intelligence.
In the field of underwater construction fleet the option of purchasing a new generation of Russian submarines is possible.
Algeria also showed interest in UAVs produced by Irkut Corporation.
In the longer term, TSAMTO places Algeria among the potential buyers of the PAK FA (fifth generation 24-36 fighters can be purchased during the 2025-2030 period), as well as the Yak-130UBS (12-16 units, the second batch to replace the L-39 , the projected delivery time of 2015-2025.)
All of the above suggests that Russia has good prospects for the development of military-technical cooperation with Algeria, but it must be borne in mind that Algeria has definitely set its sights on the diversification of arms suppliers to modernize the national army.
In general, it can be stated that today a global strategic line of cooperation is being built between Russia and Algeria, covering such areas of the economy as electric power industry, primary industries, engineering and high-tech complex. At the same time, military-technical cooperation between the two countries cannot be considered in isolation from the entire package of foreign economic cooperation. Along with the traditional products of the military-industrial complex, the Russian machine-building complex can offer Algeria new dual-use developments that are a competitive market product.
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