TSAMTO, August 11th. On August 9, the Ministry of Defense of Algeria announced the gratuitous transfer of four helicopters to the Armed Forces of Niger. The transferred package included two Mi-24V transport and combat helicopters and two Mi-171 multipurpose transport helicopters.
According to the ministry's statement, the decision on the transfer was made on the instructions of the President of Algeria, Supreme Commander of the country's Armed Forces, Minister of National Defense Abdelmajid Tebboun. The transfer was ordered by Deputy Minister of National Defense, Chief of the General Staff of the People's National Army (NPA), Army General Said Shangrikha.
According to Jane's Defense Weekly, according to a video published by MNO, both Mi-24V helicopters have characteristic features of machines upgraded in 1999-2001 by the South African company Advanced Technologies and Engineering (ATE, now part of the Paramount Group) under the Super Hind Mk III program.
The upgraded Mi-24V helicopters are equipped with a new nose mount for the Hensoldt Argos electron-optical system, used to guide the new French 20x102 mm cannon and anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) Ingwe is manufactured by the South African company Denel Dynamics. Ingwe ATGM launch beams are installed on both demonstrated helicopters.
Among the additional equipment that was loaded onto the C-130 military transport aircraft, blocks for launching 57 mm type C-5 unguided aircraft missiles (NAR) were fixed.
According to the Ministry of Defense of Algeria, the helicopters took off on August 9 from the In-Gezzam forward deployment base in the 6th Military District and headed to the airport in Niamey (Niger). The Algerian Air Force transport aircraft also delivered ammunition for helicopters, spare parts, maintenance equipment and MTO.
On August 10, the Ministry of Defense of Algeria announced the arrival of helicopters in Niamey, where they were received by Brigadier General Salifou Mainassara, Chief of Staff of the Niger Air Force.
The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the transfer of equipment as a measure aimed at "strengthening fraternal and historical relations uniting the two countries," confirming Algeria's commitment to further support the countries of the region in areas related to defense and security.
The transfer of helicopters is presented by the Ministry of Defense as an element of the military support program for Algeria's southern neighbors, but this is the first time such assistance has been publicly announced.
The transfer of equipment takes place against the background of normalization of relations between Algeria and Niger. After Algeria shot down the Malian Bayraktar Akinci UAV in April 2025, Niger recalled its ambassador from Algeria in solidarity with Mali, which is a member of the Sahel States Alliance.
The visit of the President of Niger, General Abdurahman Tchiani, to Algeria on February 15-16 marked the end of a period of cooling relations. During the visit, Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune announced the start of construction of the trans-Saharan gas pipeline, which will ensure the export of Nigerian gas to Europe through the territories of Niger and Algeria. The Algerian energy company Sonatrach is responsible for the construction of the gas pipeline section in Niger.
A high-level Joint Commission on Cooperation has been established to coordinate this and other areas of bilateral cooperation. According to official statements, other joint projects include the construction of the trans-Saharan highway and the laying of a communication line.
At the moment, the fact of consultations with the Russian side on the transfer of helicopters remains unconfirmed.
