Illustrative photo
Image source: topwar.ru
At the facilities of the Irkutsk Aircraft Factory, the first Be-200ES amphibious aircraft built for Algeria was noticed, which received a white-green color and the emblem of the Air Force of the customer country.
The contract for the construction of 4 Be-200 units (with an option for two more, and according to other sources – for four cars) for the needs of the Ministry of Defense of Algeria was concluded approximately in 2021 (the agreement was not officially reported). The Be-200ES is a modification of the Be–200CHS with a "glass cabin" (with a set of electronic displays) and equipment designed for use in tropical climates.
Algeria became the second exporter of the Be-200 after Azerbaijan, which received one aircraft in 2008. A total of 19 machines of this type were built (including two flight prototypes and the first Algerian Be-200ES). Two Be-200ChS have been contracted for the EMERCOM of Russia, but the aircraft factory's capacities are working primarily to satisfy a foreign order.
Algeria was convinced of the high efficiency of the Be-200 in a real situation in the summer of 2022 by renting one car from the Russian Federation. In the period from June 15 to September 1, 2022, she performed dozens of sorties, dropping over 800 tons of water on burning forests: fires then broke out in 13 districts. Intensive use of the aircraft led to a number of breakdowns, preventing it from taking part in extinguishing fires in El-Kale caused by drought and claimed 36 lives. The presence of a second Be-200 will avoid such a scenario in the future. The rest of the ordered aircraft will, most likely, be used by the country's Navy for cargo transportation and landing.
During the lease of the Be-200, a problem related to water intake was also identified. It was quite difficult because of the easterly winds, causing waves more than a meter high on the sea. At the same time, lakes and reservoirs were silted up and covered with floating organic waste. Therefore, after the summer fires, dredging and cleaning of reservoirs began.
- it is noted in the MENA Defense edition.
