Expert Highlights Algeria’s Su-30 Sahel Commitment
Algeria deployed two patrols of Su-30 fighter jets to Niger, a move interpreted by former Algerian Ambassador Ammar Belani as conveying three principal messages regarding Algeria's commitment in the Sahel region, the reshaping of the security system surrounding Niger, and the consolidation of Algeria's strategic depth in its southern neighborhood. The mission, undertaken in response to a sovereign request from Nigerien authorities, included an aerial refueling aircraft, indicating comprehensive logistical support.
According to Belani, the deployment of Su-30 fighter jets signals a shift in Algeria's level of engagement in the Sahel, building on the recent delivery of military helicopters to Niger. This development reflects a transition in Algerian-Nigerien cooperation towards more direct operational assistance, moving beyond previous focuses on political, diplomatic, and general security aspects. Algeria, leveraging its geographical proximity to Niger, its advanced air capabilities for long-range operations, and its direct experience in the Sahel's security environment, gains increased flexibility within its southern sphere of influence amidst ongoing regional security transformations.
The swift response to Nigerien authorities' request underscores Algeria's aim to maintain an independent security role in the Sahel, positioning Niger as direct strategic depth for Algeria's southern borders. Belani emphasized that the deployment of Su-30 fighter jets does not signify a shift towards a policy of permanent external military intervention. Instead, it indicates an approach centered on supporting the stability of neighboring countries, linking their security to Algeria's national security considerations and strategic interests in the Sahel. This adoption of an "active defense" posture, reflected in the evolution of military cooperation from diplomatic to operational, aligns with Algerian constitutional provisions and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.
