Russian defense minister, Algerian general upbeat about military relations
MOSCOW. Oct 24 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia's defense minister, Gen. of the Army Sergei Shoigu, has discussed Russian-Algerian military cooperation and Russian weapons exports to Algeria with the chief of staff of the Algerian People's National Army, Gen. of Army Corps Ahmed Gaid Salah.
"Algeria is a long-time and reliable partner of Russia. The extent of Russian-Algerian military and military technological cooperation confirms this," Shoigu said during talks with Gaid Salah in Moscow on Thursday.
He congratulated Gaid Salah on his recent appointment as deputy defense minister and suggested discussing the current state and prospects of Russian-Algerian military cooperation and arms trade and exchanging opinions on some international and regional security issues.
Gaid Salah expressed confidence that his talks in Moscow would give a new impetus to Russian-Algerian military cooperation. He said Russian-Algerian military relations are marked by "openness and mutual confidence." "We count on you subsequent support," the Algerian general said.
Gaid Salah's current visit to Russia closes on Friday. It is his first trip to the country after his appointment as deputy minister
Algeria is one of the main three importers of Russian arms. The two countries have signed a series of large-scale arms sale contracts in recent years.
Most of them have been fulfilled. They include sales of 22 Sukhoi Su-24MK frontline bombers, 28 Su-30MKA multirole fighters, 16 Yakovlev Yak-130 fighter trainers, four Ilyushin Il-78 aerial refueling tankers, 42 Mil Mi-171Sh transport helicopters, some S-300PMU surface-to-air missile systems, 38 Pantsir-S1 combined surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery systems, and 185 T-90S tanks.
Modernization of Russian-made weapons imported by Algeria earlier is an important form of military cooperation between the two countries. Algeria is planning modernization of Smerch multiple rocket launchers and other arms, according to reports.