Algeria continues its arms race. The Algerian Ministry of National Defense has reportedly signed a contract to acquire 14 fifth-generation Sukhoi 57 combat fighters. According to specialized Russian and American media, the bill that Algeria will have to honor will be around two billion dollars.
“The Algerian Ministry of Defense has signed a contract for the purchase from Russia of approximately 14 new generation Su-57 heavy fighters. This makes Algeria the first foreign client of the new Kremlin fighters after their entry into serial production in July 2019, “Polit Russia reported, citing the US magazine Military Watch.
According to the same sources, the contract has already been signed, but the date of signing has not been given. This is the purchase of 14 latest generation heavy fighters that will make the Algerian Army one of the best equipped on the African continent. Particularly with regard to its air force.
Russian armaments interest Algeria
It should be remembered that Algeria is a loyal customer of Russian armaments. And the Russians are not indifferent to this Algerian interest. Moreover, they are still looking to strengthen their sales in Algeria. As in August 2020 when the country of Vladimir Putin offered Algeria a comprehensive defense system against drones.
This anti-drone system is expected to include control equipment, radar detection equipment, anti-aircraft guns and electronic warfare equipment specifically designed for use against drones or what is called in military industry jargon. small UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).
For its part, Algeria remains Africa’s largest military budget, and Russia is not indifferent to it. The Algerian Army is the military institution that spent the most on armaments in 2019. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Algeria spent $ 10.334 billion on armaments during the year. year 2019, against 9.584 billion dollars the previous year. This represents an increase of 7.83%.
