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Algeria to Change MiG for Su
Algeria has urged Russia to provide from 14 to 16 Su fighter jets instead of returned MiGs. So, the chance has emerged that the conflict with one of the biggest buyers of Russia’s weapons could be solved at last. But the parties are yet to decide on $250 million that Algeria paid in advance for MiGs.
Algeria has applied to the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation and Rosoboronexport to buy an additional consignment of Su-30s (Su-30MKI(A)) instead of 15 MiG-29 fighter jets returned April 15 and other jets due to be delivered under that contract, said a source with the air construction community of Russia.
“Su jets will be provided for the amount specified for supplies of MiGs, 14-16 jets of NPK Irkut make,” another source with defense and industrial complex specified.
MiG Corp. was to supply to Algeria 34 MiG-29SMT and MiG-29UBT jets under the contract, which budget reached $1.286 billion. NPK Irkut currently executes the contract with Algeria for 28 Su-30MKI(А)s worth roughly $2.5 billion. “If the contract for additional consignment is concluded, the supplies may start in 2011 after the current contract is completed in 2010,” said NPK Irkut President Oleg Demchenko.
The scenario of replacing MiG jets by Su jets has been considered since the parties agreed on return of 15 MiGs delivered in 2006 to 2007. Algeria refused to accept the aircraft past May, claiming the delivered jets had used parts and the parts of poor quality. Algeria halted payments under all other military contracts with Russia past October, conditioning them to the return of MiGs. Having supplied the first six Su jets to Algeria, Irkut shelved any other deliveries to that country.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of May 15, 2008
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