The Algerian Defense Ministry decided to halve arms purchases from the U.S., while seeking to buy analogous weapons from Russia, a local newspaper said on Monday.
The decision was made following long delays in U.S. arms deliveries since 2007.
"The delay in the deliveries of modern types of weapons from the United States has prompted the Algerian Defense Ministry to defer plans to purchase new arms systems which are deployed in the fight against terrorism," El Khabar newspaper said citing defense officials.
Among reasons cited for the delays were Washington's rigorous standards on arms sales to other countries as well as pressure from Israel on arms suppliers.
According to the newspaper, Algeria is looking to purchase modern weapons from Russia, and has also scrapped earlier plans to set up a squadron of U.S.-made Apache helicopters.
Instead, Algeria intends to purchase Russian fourth-generation helicopters, the Mi-28 Havoc, which cost four times less than their U.S. analogs and Ka-52 Alligator Hokum-2.
Algeria, alongside India, China, Venezuela, Malaysia and Syria, is one of Russia's main customers for arms. Vietnam also emerged as a key importer after it signed a deal to buy submarines, aircraft and other military hardware from Russia late last year.
CAIRO, 24 May (RIA Novosti)
