# Algeria donates Mi-24V SuperHind gunships and Mi-171 helicopters to Niger

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2026/08/algeria-donates-4-helicopters-to-niger/
- Published: 2026-08-25T11:48:50+01:00
- Author: Israel Chukwuma

Algeria donated four military helicopters and associated equipment to Niger on 9
August 2026. The transfer was a significant new step in bilateral defence cooperation.
The Algerian Ministry of National Defence said two Mi-24V SuperHind gunships and
two Mi-171 transport helicopters, along with ammunition, spare parts, maintenance
equipment, and logistical support, departed the Algerian Army’s secondary deployment
base at In Guezzam for Niamey that morning and arrived later that day.

Nigerien Air Force chief of staff Brigadier General Salifou Maïnassara received 
the donation, and a formal reception ceremony was held on 10 August. Algeria’s Defence
Ministry said the transfer was carried out on President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s instructions
as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral defence and security cooperation. Footage
released by Algiers appeared to show the 4 helicopters, freshly repainted, taking
off from the airbase at In Guezzam near the Niger border.

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The two Mi-24Vs appear to be Algerian Super Hind Mk III aircraft modernized by South
Africa’s Advanced Technologies and Engineering (ATE) in 1999 – 2001. The upgrade
package replaced the original gun installation with a 20 mm cannon, added an electro-
optical/infrared sighting system and other modern avionics, and integrated South
African Ingwe anti-tank missiles with a range up to 5 km. The airframe still carries
the classic Hind troop cabin, transporting up to 8 soldiers alongside its attack
role, and can dash at speeds up to 335 km/h on its twin turboshaft engines. The 
two Mi-171s belong to the Mi-8/17 family.

The two Mi-171s are transport variants of the Mi-8/17 family built in Russia at 
the Ulan-Ude plant. In troop configuration, they can carry roughly 36 soldiers or,
fitted out for medical evacuation, 12 stretcher cases with attendants. The type 
lifts to 4,000 kg internally or via external sling load and can be equipped with
armour plating, flare and chaff dispensers, and hardpoints for rockets or gun pods
in its assault variant, the [Mi-171Sh](https://www.military.africa/2020/07/nigerien-military-now-flying-mi-171sh-helicopter/).
Algeria’s own Mi-171s entered service in the early to mid-2000s, so the airframes
going to Niger are not new, though officials instead describe the donation in terms
of defence, security, expertise and multifaceted support.

Algeria is understood to have acquired 34 Super Hind Mk III aircraft, and Azerbaijan
ten Mk IV models. Upgrades include new engine filters, countermeasures, navigation
system and other avionics. Algeria in 2016 received the first of 42 Mi-28NE attack
helicopters from Russia and the donation of Mi-24s to Niger could indicate the older
Hinds are being phased out.

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Niger continues to face attacks by al-Qaeda-linked and Islamic State-linked armed
groups, particularly in western Niger and the Tillabéri region. Niger’s Air Force
was already flying a small fleet of [Mi-171Sh](https://www.military.africa/2020/07/nigerien-military-now-flying-mi-171sh-helicopter/)
assault helicopters bought under a $47 million contract signed between 2017 and 
2019, so the Algerian gift reinforces an existing type. Niger already operates Mi-
24 attack helicopters.

Relations between Algeria and the military governments of Niger, Mali and [Burkina Faso](https://www.military.africa/2024/01/nigerien-air-force-helicopter-crashes-in-burkina-faso/)
deteriorated in April 2025 after Algeria’s Air defences [shot down](https://www.military.africa/2025/04/algeria-shoot-down-malis-newly-acquired-akinci-drone/)
a Malian military drone near the town of Tinzaouatène on its southern border. Algeria
said the drone had violated its airspace; Mali disputed that account. All three 
Alliance of Sahel States (AES) governments recalled their ambassadors from Algiers
in protest, and Algeria closed its airspace to Malian traffic in response.

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The freeze began to dissolve in February 2026, when Niger’s transitional leader,
President Abdourahamane Tiani, travelled to Algiers for a 2-day visit and was received
by Tebboune. The two sides agreed to reactivate their high joint committee and revive
stalled cooperation agreements. That committee met in Niamey the following month,
in March 2026, when Algerian Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb and his Nigerien counterpart,
Ali Lamine Zeine Mahaman, signed multiple bilateral agreements covering energy, 
health, infrastructure, trade, industry, agriculture, finance, transport, education,
communications and other sectors.

Algeria’s rift with Mali took longer to heal. Bamako and Algiers only restored ambassadors
and reopened their airspace on July 10, 2026, ending a 15-month rupture. By mid-
August 2026, Algeria and Niger had already substantially restored and deepened bilateral
relations, while Burkina Faso had not undergone an equivalent normalization. The
helicopter donation marked a further strengthening and [wider regional reconciliation](https://www.military.africa/2026/04/algeria-and-niger-strengtens-diplomatic-reconciliation/)
of the already improving Algeria-Niger defence relationship.

Russia’s [expanding security relationship ](https://www.military.africa/2023/05/strengthening-ties-exploring-military-technical-cooperation-between-russia-and-african-countries/)
with the AES states provides important regional context for Algeria’s renewed security
engagement with Niger. Moscow has cultivated closer military ties with the AES states
while maintaining important relationships with both Algeria and Mali. Russia remained
Algeria’s [largest supplier of major equipment](https://www.military.africa/2021/09/algerian-military-receives-upgraded-mi-171sh-helicopters-from-russia/).
Moscow supplied 48% of Algeria’s arms imports between 2020 and 2024, according to
the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, giving Algiers access to advanced
systems including the Su-57E, which reportedly makes it the only African state known
to acquire a fifth-generation fighter, although the aircraft’s delivery and operational
status have not been fully documented publicly.

Niger will require trained personnel and continuing logistical and maintenance support
to sustain the donated Mi-24V Super Hind helicopters. Algeria has said it intends
to “continue supporting the states of the region” in defence and security. The donation
demonstrates a significant expansion of Algerian military support to Niger, but 
whether it develops into a sustained Algerian security role will depend on subsequent
military cooperation, training, maintenance support and further transfers.

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