Russia to Continue Arms Supplies to Algeria

Russian Ambassador to Algeria Alexander Zolotov said that Russia-Algeria ties in the military-technical sphere adhere to international treaties and are not intended to undermine the regional balance of power.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Moscow will maintain its close cooperation with Algiers of delivering a wide range of weapons to the country, Russian Ambassador to Algeria Alexander Zolotov said Wednesday.

"The Algerian military is satisfied with the quality of Russian weapons, which has proven itself well in the specific conditions here, namely the desert with its extremely high temperatures and sandstorms. So there are good prospects for continuing close cooperation in the military-technical area on a wide nomenclature of supplies," Zolotov told RIA Novosti in an interview.

The diplomat added that Russia-Algeria ties in the military-technical sphere adhere to international treaties and are not intended to undermine the regional balance of power.

Russia is a primary arms exporter to Algeria. A significant set of agreements, worth a total of $7.5 billion, was signed in 2005-2006, under which Russia sold Algeria 28 Su-30MKA, 16 Yak-130 jet trainers and 185 T-90S tanks.

In September 2015, Moscow and Algiers signed a contact for the delivery of 14 Su-30MKA fighters to Algeria in 2016-2017.

In late February, the two countries set out a roadmap for deepening bilateral economic and military cooperation during Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's visit to Algeria.