The Algerian military has taken delivery of more than 400 utility vehicles that were manufactured locally.
The 409 vehicles were handed over on 7 May and include transport vehicles, ambulances, police and security vehicles. They were Mercedes Benz G class and Sprinter models manufactured locally by the Algerian Company of Vehicle Manufacturing (SPA SAFAV-Tiaret) for the defence, national security and justice ministries.
“This new delivery confirms the keenness of the senior leadership of the National People’s Army to develop a national defence industry with world-class quality, as well as creating sustainable jobs,” the defence ministry said. It added that the vehicles were manufactured in partnership between the defence ministry, Mercedes and the Emirates Investment Bank.
546 vehicles were delivered to various institutions, including the military, in March, and 325 in October 2017.
Algeria established a motor vehicle manufacturing plant in October 2014 as a partnership between the governments of Germany, Algeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is expected to produce 2 000 4×4 vehicles and 6 000 Sprinter passenger vehicles annually.
Algeria also locally produces Fuchs 2 armoured vehicles under license and locally assembled Mercedes Zetros, Actros, Unimog, Atego and Axor vehicles.
