MiG-29 problem is solved, Algeria to receive Sukhoi-35: Russian official

Algeria and Russia agreed on settling their conflict on MiG-29 fighter jets by signing an agreement to provide the North African country with Sukhoi-35 fighter aircrafts instead of the MiG-29, according to an official at Russian arms export monopoly Rosoboronexport.

Algeria and Russia agreed on settling their conflict on MiG-29 fighter jets by signing an agreement to provide the North African country with Sukhoi-35 fighter aircrafts instead of the MiG-29, according to an official at Russian arms export monopoly Rosoboronexport.

   “The termination of the contract to deliver the MiG-29 does not affect the overall contracts and the bids signed in 2006 between Algeria and Russia”, the official told Echorouk Monday speaking on condition of anonymity.   

Russian arms export monopoly Rosoboronexport signed the contract to deliver 29 one-seat MiG-29SMT Fulcrum fighters and six two-seat MiG-29UB fighters in March 2006 as part of an $8 billion military-technical cooperation agreement with Algeria.

“Algerian and Russian military parts agreed to shift 14 MiG-29 aircrafts with Sokhoi-35,” said the Russian official.

“Algeria and Russia agreed to solve the problem for mutual profits.”

According to the same source, the problem was minor and has nothing to do with the engine or the cockpit.   

In an interview with the Vedomosti newspaper published on Monday, the head of the Federal Agency for Industry, Andrei Dutov, said “The reasons for the termination of the Algerian contract are likely to lie in the sphere of politics. It has nothing to do with industry.”

Commenting on Dutov’s remarks, the Russian official said the problem was the design of the aircraft as it did not respond Algeria’s requirements.”It was industrial and military.”