Russian military instructors have arrived Niger with an air defence system and other equipment as part of the West African nation’s deepening security ties with Moscow.
This development is coming after Niger’s military government agreed in January to step up military cooperation with Russia, after expelling French forces that were helping fight jihadist rebellions in several Sahel nations.
The Tele Sahel broadcaster showed a Russia transport plane arriving at Niamey airport on Wednesday night. It said “the latest military equipment and military instructors from the Russian defence ministry” had arrived.
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The report stated that Russia will help install an air defence system to ensure complete control of Niger’s airspace.
In the words of one of the Russian instructor, “We are here to train the Niger army and help it use the equipment that has just arrived. The equipment is for different military specialities.”
