Russia and Algeria will hold joint naval exercises in the western part of the Mediterranean Sea on Friday, the Algerian Defense Ministry announced.
It said the joint exercises aim to enhance military cooperation between the two countries.
On its social media account, the Ministry said on Monday that the Admiral Grigorovich frigate from the Black Sea fleet, has already docked in the Port of Algiers.
Its presence in Algiers underlines the military cooperation between the Algerian and Russian military, it said.
The naval exercises will include various tactical and interceptive exercises. The Russian frigate will be stationed in Algeria until December 12. It is the third of its kind to dock on the Algerian coasts in the past few months.
In August, the Mercury 734 missile corvette stopped at the port of Algiers.
Military rapprochement between Algeria and Moscow has intensified in the past two years. It was reflected in high-level visits conducted at the military level.
Last July, the chief of staff of Algeria's military, Said Chengriha, has visited Russia, where he met with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Also, on the occasion of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s visit to Moscow last June, Sputnik news agency quoted Shoigu as saying that Algeria wants to buy Russian military equipment, including tanks, aircraft, and anti-aircraft defense systems.
Algerian officers are particularly keen to acquire submarines, Su-57 (Sukhoi) stealth aircraft, Su-34 bombers, and Su-30 fighters, reports said earlier. Algeria also hopes to acquire new air defense systems, such as the S-400, the Viking, and the Antey-4000.
Therefore, the North African country aims to increase its military budget as per the draft finance law of 2023-2024.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday praised the level of economic and humanitarian cooperation between Russia and Algeria at the ceremony of accepting credentials from the newly appointed foreign ambassadors.
In addition, Putin recalled that in 2024-2025 Algeria will get a seat as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. “We will, of course, intensify coordination with Algerian partners on topical issues on the international and regional agenda,” he added.
