ABU DHABI (BNS): Russia plans to begin supplying Su-30 Flanker fighters and Yak-130 Mitten trainer/light attack jets to Algeria next year, a RIA Novosti report said.

Deputy head of the Russian Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation, Vyacheslav Dzirkalin was quoted as saying, "The delivery of Su-30s and Yak-130s (to Algeria) is due to begin next year, this is no military secret."

Earlier in an interview with the Novaya Gazeta weekly, head of Russian Technologies state Corporation, Sergei Chemezov had said Russia would ship to Algeria "a party of modern Russian fighters" at a price of about $1 billion. However, he did not specify the number of aircraft to be delivered.

SU-30 aircraft is a twin engine, twin seater, multi-role fighter that can simultaneously be operated as an intercepter, bomber and trainer. Codenamed 'Flanker' by NATO, the twin-seat SU-30, a derivative of the Su-27 is a multi-role fighter bomber and air superiority aircraft which can also be used in the maritime strike role.

The Yak-130 combat trainer can simulate the tactics of different combat aircraft. The aircraft can carry weapons, suspended fuel tanks, reconnaissance pods and a range of electronic warfare pods including radar jammers and infrared countermeasures.

The Algerian Defense Ministry had decided to reduce arms purchases from the United States due to long delays and plans to purchase modern weapons from Russia.