Algerian chief of staff Said Chengriha visited Zhukovsky Air Base on the outskirts of Moscow on the third day of his visit to Russia.

The Defense Ministry stated that the army commander was accompanied by Director of the Military Cooperation Service of the Russian Federation Dmitry Shugayev.

Chengriha inspected several types of military aircraft and was briefed on the latest equipment and technologies used in military aviation.

He visited the headquarters of the Aeronautical Technology Dynamics Company, where he examined the various latest equipment and technologies, including basic training for pilots and programs for simulation in the field of aviation.

According to the Russian press, Algeria wants to support its armed forces with modern Russian military equipment after increasing the military spending in the 2023 Algerian Budget Law.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Algeria ordered military equipment, including tanks, aircraft, and anti-aircraft defense systems, reported the Russian news agency Sputnik.

Sputnik reported that Chengriha’s visit is part of the follow-up to the implementation of a military trade agreement, valued at $7 billion, concluded by the two countries in 2022, according to the press.

Chengriha’s visit confirms Algeria’s interest in purchasing Russian warplanes.

The Algerian Air Force is mainly equipped with Russian planes and fighters, some of which date back to the Soviet Union.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had visited Russia earlier this year.

The strong cooperation between the two states is evident in the intensity of joint military exercises they have held in recent years.

In October 2021, the Special Forces participated in military exercises in North Ossetia where 200 Russian and Algerian soldiers tested modern equipment and techniques to combat terrorism in mountainous areas.

The drills also included practicing modern combat techniques and new attack weapons.