Algeria to receive new build Mig-29s

Date Posted: 25-Mar-2004

JANE’S DEFENCE WEEKLY – MARCH 31, 2004

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Algeria to receive new-build MiG-29s
NIKOLAI NOVICHKOV & HENRY IVANOV JDW Correspondents
Moscow

Algeria is negotiating two deals with the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG (RSK-MiG) for the supply of combat and trainer aircraft with a combined estimated value of $2.8 billion.

Under the first contract, the Algerian Ministry of Defence is due in early April to sign an estimated $1.8 billion contract with RSK-MiG for 42 MiG-29SMT single-seat multirole aircraft and seven MiG-29UBT two-seater operational trainers, according to the Russian daily Vedomosti. Under the terms of the contract, Algeria will return 36 MiG-29C fighters procured between 1999 and 2001 from Belarus (28) and Russia (8) to RSK-MiG.

However, industry sources told JDW that Algeria might purchase more advanced MiG-29M1/M2 multirole fighters, with 90% parts common to MiG-29K/KUB carrierborne aircraft. Earlier this year, India awarded RSK-MiG a $700 million order for 16 new-build MiG-29K/KUBs, with an option for an additional 30 (JDW 28 January). RSK-MiG has restarted the MiG-29 production

line for the Indian order and it will also be used for the Algerian order.

Faced with the necessity to increase the series production of aircraft equipment, RSK-MiG plans to expand its capacity by acquiring the Nizhny Novgorod Sokol aircraft building plant. A letter of intent for the merger of RSK-MiG and Sokol was signed on 12 March and the contract is expected to be finalised soon.

Both Indian and Algerian aircraft will be equipped with the Phazotron-NIIR Zhuk-ME multimode radar, improved PrNK-29 aiming system and Elektroavtomatika digital flight-control system. The MiG-29SMT has the same radar and aiming system but features a mechanical flight-control linkage, smaller wing and a reduced flight radius.

Additionally, Algeria is expected to become the first export customer for the MiG-AT advanced jet trainer – a Franco-Russian joint programme – with the acquisition of 80 aircraft under an estimated $1 billion contract scheduled to be concluded in 2005. The aircraft received a certificate of airworthiness from the Russian Air Force in February. RSK-MiG holds 60% in the AT programme, Snecma 25% (supply of Turbomecca Larzac engines) and Thales 15% (provision of TopFlight avionics suite).

In addition to the MiG-29s, Algeria has in recent years negotiated deals for the acquisition of 22 upgraded Su-24MK strike aircraft and 42 Mi-171Sh medium-lift helicopters worth $120 million and $180 million respectively. Sukhoi supplied 10 Su-24MKs to Algeria in 2002-03, while the remaining 12 are scheduled for delivery in 2004-05. The Ulan-Ude aircraft plant is due to complete deliveries of Mi-171Sh helicopters before the end of 2004.

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