The largest deal with Italy: Algeria to buy 124 helicopters worth four billion Euros

Italian media reports asserted, early this week, that the PM Silvio Berlusconi will visit Algeria during the mid-October, in order to sign the largest military cooperation contract between the two countries, and acquisition of 124 helicopters worth over four billion Euros, including six Merlin H-101 and four others of the type Super Linux MK 300 manufactured by the mixed British- Italian company “Augusta”.

 

• The helicopters are expected to be received by Algeria before the end of this year, compared to 575 million Euros, pending the completion of delivery before the end of 2011.
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• Sources, informed about the deal, said it is for previewing and testing the helicopters before final decision.
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• Algeria changed the point of trader for acquisition of military helicopters, following failure of negotiations between Algeria and France at the last moment because Paris signed a similar deal with Rabat.
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• Last year the Algerian Defence Ministry sent a special committee to Italy for inspecting the workshops of manufacturing helicopters at the Italian British company “AgustaWestland” resulting in the opening of negotiations on signing deals similar to first deal about buying 30 helicopters worth 460 million Euros, and the second deal considered the largest for the acquisition of 84 helicopters worth 2.5 billion Euros, as well as the existence of ongoing negotiations between Algeria and Italy to buy ghost frigates and battleships carrying helicopters.
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• Same sources spoke about the possibility of official signing of these agreements during Berlusconi’s visit to Algeria on October 15.
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• His visit is also expected to develop bilateral ties and cooperation between Rome and Algeria, particularly natural gas, renewable energy and energy, industry and agriculture.