The Russian military trainers and air defense system plus other equipment have arrived Niger’s capital Niamey for the training of the West African nation’s armed forces on the use of the system.
Russian state media reports that Niger’s military government agreed in January to step up military cooperation with Moscow in its ongoing war with armed groups.
Also, the state media said Moscow “will help Niamey install an air defense system to ensure full control of its air space.”
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However, Niger confirmed the development as state-run Radio and Television state report that 100 military instructors have already arrived in Niamey.
In a Thursday broadcast, RTN showed footage of a military cargo plane unloading gear as people in fatigues stood by. It said the deployment followed a recent agreement between Niger’s junta and Russian President Vladimir Putin to boost cooperation.
“We are here to train the Nigerien army (and) to develop military cooperation between Russia and Niger,” said a man in camouflage uniform, who RTN said was one of the instructors.
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The man had a neck gaiter pulled up over most of his face while he spoke on camera. RTN also said Russia had agreed to install an anti-aircraft system in Niger. “Our airspace will now be better protected,” the broadcaster said.
Meanwhile, The Pentagon later said U.S. officials had expressed concerns to Niger about its potential development of ties with Russia before the junta broke off the accord governing roughly 1,000 U.S. military personnel there.