Tel Aviv: Algeria has become the first foreign client for the Russian SU-57 stealth fighter aircraft.
Algerian official media released a statement, which disclosed that Algerian pilots are now training in Russia. It is anticipated that the jets would start to be delivered later this year. Algeria is spending big money to upgrade the capabilities of its armed forces.
The reason according to experts, is the ups and downs in the relations between Algeria and its neighbouring country Morocco. The tension between the two countries is about the Western Sahara region. The two countries claim that this region is theirs. The long dispute that has caused some military clashes is the reason why the two neighbouring countries are arming themselves.
Morocco has in recent years spent big budgets in upgrading its military capabilities. Most of this money was spent in buying Israeli made systems.
The Israeli ministry of defence is now evaluating a new shopping list submitted by the government of Morocco.
Morocco in recent years became a very important customer of the Israeli defence industries. In some cases, the Israeli systems will have to compete with systems made by the US and France.
Recently Morocco received the first Atmos 2000 self-propelled artillery systems made by Israeli company Elbit systems. Last year Morocco has received the first Barak MX air defence systems manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The contract was signed in February 2022.
Morocco is negotiating the purchase of the Delilah short-range cruise missile for its fighter jets and other air launched systems, some that have never been exported. The Delilah missile system was developed by the Israeli company Elbit systems and will be the first of its kind in the Moroccan army’s arsenal .
Last year Morocco had selected the Rafael’s Spyder air defence system for its short range air defence needs.
Morocco has also acquired the Israeli advanced loitering weapon systems, the SpyX made by Israeli company BlueBird. Morocco has also signed a contract to purchase an Israeli made spy satellite from the Ofeq series made by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
