“We were convinced of the effectiveness of the aircraft from our own experience”: the first Be-200ES was built for Algeria

Illustrative photo

At the facilities of the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, the first Be-200ES amphibious aircraft built for Algeria was seen, which received a white and green color and the emblem of the Air Force of the customer country.

The contract for the construction of 4 Be-200 units (with an option for two more, and according to other sources - for four vehicles) for the needs of the Algerian Ministry of Defense was concluded approximately in 2021 (the agreement was not officially announced). The Be-200ES is a modification of the Be-200ES with a "glass cockpit" (with a set of electronic displays) and equipment designed for operation in a tropical climate.

Algeria became the second exporter of the Be-200 after Azerbaijan, which received one aircraft in 2008. A total of 19 machines of this type were built (including two flight prototypes and the first Algerian Be-200ES). Two Be-200ChSs have been contracted for the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, but the aircraft plant's capacities are working primarily to satisfy foreign orders.

Algeria was convinced of the high efficiency of the Be-200 in a real situation in the summer of 2022, having rented one car from the Russian Federation. In the period from June 15 to September 1, 2022, she carried out dozens of sorties, dropping over 800 tons of water on burning forests: fires then broke out in 13 districts. Intensive use of the aircraft led to a number of breakdowns, preventing it from taking part in extinguishing the fires in El Cala, caused by drought and which claimed 36 lives. Having a second Be-200 will make it possible to avoid such a scenario in the future. The rest of the ordered aircraft will, apparently, be used by the country's Navy to transport cargo and troops.

During the lease of the Be-200, a problem with water intake was also identified. It was quite difficult because of the east winds, causing waves over a meter high on the sea. At the same time, lakes and reservoirs were silted up and covered with floating organic waste. Therefore, after the summer fires, dredging and cleaning of reservoirs began.

Algeria was convinced of the [fire-fighting] effectiveness of the aircraft from its own experience. The indisputable advantage of the Be-200 is its versatility: the machine can be used in search and rescue operations, and when transporting personnel or cargo

- noted in the publication MENA Defense.

Comments

[alex aircraft]

The motors on the Be 200 are Zaporozhye. Which ones were installed in Algerian? Or did they buy them before their own?

[fruc]

In theory, imported engines should still stand.
“The United Engine Corporation only plans to receive a certificate for the PD-8 Be-200 engine in June 2023.

[Arifon]

"... dropping over 800 tons of water on burning forests: fires then broke out in 13 districts."
The efficiency of water discharges from aircraft to burning forests tends to zero! Not even every rain that falls for a couple of days puts out the fire. It dried up a little, the wind blew - and everything blazes anew ... How much water you don’t throw off, but it’s impossible to put out a forest fire, and even with a strong wind! It still makes sense as an operational means in order to slow down the spread of fire for a short period of time in some limited area, for example, in order to evacuate people from a populated area. And it’s also a good way for the Ministry of Emergency Situations to wash up loot for nicknames, aviation kerosene is now golden!

[tralflot1832]

Everyone is so stupid that they use fire planes. In Australia, the other day, a fire Boeing 737 landed unsuccessfully, two pilots were injured.

[Arifon]

"Everyone is so dumb that they use fire planes..."
I wrote why aircraft can be used in the process of extinguishing fires

[Arifon]

Here is a living example when the opinion of an expert in this matter (20 years of work in the aviation forest protection service and forestry services as a parachutist-firefighter, PDS instructor and, subsequently, an observer pilot) means nothing - the "specialists" downvoted in the trash!