Russia will conclude Algerian Su-30 deliveries in 2017

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Russia’s Irkut will deliver 14 Su-30MKA fighter jets to Algeria over the coming year, augmenting its existing fleet of 44 Su-30MKAs. Algeria is meanwhile negotiating the purchase of Su-34 strike aircraft.

In its annual report published on Monday, Irkut, owned by the United Aircraft Corporation holding company, said that first Su-30MKA deliveries will begin later this year and conclude in 2017.

The order for the 14 additional jets was announced on 11 September 2015 by Sergei Chemezov, the head of Russian defence technology holding company Rostic, who said the contract was signed in April last year.

Algeria received 28 Su-30s as part of a 2006 contract and another 16 under a 2010 contract. It appears the 16 aircraft in the second batch were delivered to replace 15 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SMT fighters Algeria returned to Russia after declaring them “defective.”

The Su-30MKA operated by Algeria is a specialised variant of the Su-30MK fitted with a mix of French and Russian avionics. The former includes a head-up and multifunction displays manufactured by the Thales Group and Sagem of France.

The primary combat aircraft in Algeria’s Air Force are a dozen MiG-25s, 23 MiG-29C/UBs and around 34 Su-24M/MKs.

Algeria is also proceeding with negotiations for 12 Su-34 strike aircraft, manufactured by the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association. This could be expanded to cover up to 40 of the type. Now that the Su-34 has received its export certificate, Algeria may sign a contract for the type before the end of the year.

The North African nation is expanding its Air Force and by late last month had received six Mi-28NE attack helicopters from Russia, out of an order for 42. Six Mi-26T2 heavy lift helicopters have also been delivered.