Major Russian upgrade said to 'change the face of Algeria's military'
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 E-Mail this story Free Headline Alerts
CAIRO Ñ Algeria has significantly expanded and enhanced its military thanks to a major infusion of Russian systems.
Algeria has acquired fighter-jets, artillery and main battle tanks as part of an $8 billion modernization project by Russia. The project has made Algeria the largest weapons importer in Africa since 2004.
"The Russian project will change the face of Algeria's military," an industry source said.
A key element in the project has been the Algerian procurement of 180 T-90 MBTs from Russia. In 2008, the last of the tanks arrived in Algeria, with deployment expected later in 2009.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute has reported that Algeria accounted for 35 percent of weapons imports in Africa. SIPRI identified the three leading weapons importers in Africa as Algeria, South Africa and Sudan.
"During the period 2004-2008, Algeria and South Africa were the two largest arms importers in Africa, accounting for 35 percent and 27 percent, respectively, of the continent's imports," SIPRI said.
Algeria was also said to have received most of its order of Su-30MK fighter-jets. SIPRI said Algeria has acquired 18 out of 28 Sukhois.
The next stage of the Russian military modernization project would focus on naval platforms. Algeria has ordered two Project 636 Kilo-class submarines from Moscow.
Algeria's neighbor, Morocco, has also launched a military modernization program. In 2008, SIPRI said, Rabat ordered 24 F-16C multi-role fighters, one FREMM naval frigate from France and three smaller SIGMA-90 frigates from the Netherlands.