Algeria arms Niger with 4 military helicopters as North African power moves closer to Russia-backed Sahel bloc

Algeria’s Ministry of National Defence confirmed on August 9, 2026, that the package included four helicopters alongside ammunition, spare parts, maintenance equipment and logistical support for the Nigerien Armed Forces.

The fleet comprises two Mi-24 SuperHind attack helicopters and two Mi-171 transport helicopters, strengthening Niger’s military capabilities as Niamey confronts persistent attacks by armed groups across the central Sahel.

The donation also underscores a broader improvement in relations between Algeria and Niger following months of tension between Algiers and members of the Alliance of Sahel States.

Relations deteriorated sharply in April 2025 after Algeria shot down a Malian military drone near its border, prompting Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso to recall their ambassadors from Algiers and pushing ties with the three military-led governments to one of their lowest points in years.

However, the relationship began to improve in early 2026.

In February, Nigerien leader General Abdourahamane Tiani travelled to Algeria for talks with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, with both sides agreeing to revive bilateral security mechanisms and strengthen coordination along their shared border.

Meanwhile, Russia has played an increasingly important role in reshaping relations between Algeria and the Sahel states.

Moscow supported diplomatic efforts to repair the more serious dispute between Algeria and Mali, with Niger and other regional governments involved in the wider process.

Algeria and Mali subsequently restored diplomatic relations and reopened their airspace in July 2026, around the same time Russia was deepening military cooperation with the AES.

Algeria, meanwhile, maintains longstanding defence and strategic ties with Russia, which accounted for 48% of its arms imports between 2020 and 2024.

Those ties have given Algiers access to advanced Russian military technology, including sophisticated air-defence systems and the Su-57E, making Algeria the first and, so far, only African country publicly known to operate a fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

More broadly, countries are strengthening military partnerships amid growing geopolitical competition, with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey deepening defence ties and Egypt linked to the emerging framework.

At the same time, the United States, Israel and Morocco continue to deepen security cooperation, while China and North Korea maintain close strategic and military relations.

A similar realignment is taking shape in Africa, where the AES has built a collective security framework and deepened military ties with Russia.

With few comparable regional partners, Algeria is also moving closer to the AES through renewed cooperation with Niger and improving ties with Mali, reinforced by their shared strategic and defence relationship with Russia.