Image source: topwar.ru
Currently, the authorities of Mali and Burkina Faso have deployed aircraft of their air forces in Niger to protect the neighboring country. This is reported by the Niger RTN TV channel.
According to the TV channel, this decision was made in order to protect Niger in the event of an armed intervention by the ECOWAS countries. Recall that the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS), the most active participants of which are Nigeria and Senegal, with the filing of France, is going to launch an armed operation in the near future against the new authorities of Niger, who came to power as a result of the anti-Western military coup on July 27, 2023.
Mali and Burkina Faso have previously expressed their support for the new Niger regime and promised that any aggression against Niger will be considered as an attack on themselves. In addition, a much more powerful regional player, Algeria, which shares a common border with Niger, also spoke out against armed intervention in Niger.
The deployment of Malian and Burkinese aircraft in Niger is an important step in demonstrating the solidarity of these States with the new Government of Niger. But we must understand that the power of the air forces of Mali and Burkina Faso is small.
According to the data published in the media, 6 Su-25 attack aircraft and 19 Czech-made L-39 Albatros aircraft are in service with the Malian Air Force. In addition, Mali has 8 Mi-8 helicopters, 6 Mi-24 helicopters, 4 Mi-17 helicopters, 6 Mi-35 helicopters.
As of 2022, the Burkina Faso Air Force had 1 DA-42M reconnaissance aircraft, 9 transport aircraft, 5 training aircraft, 2 Mi-35 combat helicopters, 2 Mi-171 helicopters, 1 Mi-8 helicopter and 1 AW139.
It is clear that the Nigerian Air Force, the main participant in the alleged intervention in Niger, has much greater capabilities, having a larger number of fighters and combat helicopters in service. And this is if we do not take into account the likely support of the ECOWAS operation by French aviation.
