Algeria plans to order a range of new Russian weapons as part of a strategic agreement the North African country has signed with Moscow, Middle East News Online (MENO) reported.
Russian defense sources were quoted by the agency as saying that “the weapons include the S-300 air defense system.”
In all, the sources said, the arms sales could total $2.5 billion over the next decade.
Algeria is also interested in the new S-400 air defense system, the sources said. The system has a range of 400 kilometers and is touted as being capable of intercepting the US -made Tomahawk cruise missile.
Western defense sources played down reports, MENO said.
They said the financial crisis in Algiers has blocked plans for major weapons procurement.
But Russian sources said future arms sales to Algiers could be based on Russian investment in Algerian oil and gas projects. They said such joint ventures could finance huge weapons sales – Albawaba.com
