Sudan to modernise its army with Russian equipments

PARIS, May 14, 2004 (TTU/ST) — Russia and Sudan have signed recently an agreement for military cooperation that will help Khartoum modernise its army.

Sudan seems interested in the acquisition of T-80 main battle tank and BMP-3 and BTR-90 infantry fighting vehicles as well as upgrading its fleets of BMP-1, BTR-60BP and BTR-70.

Regarding the upgrade of the BMP-1, the company Tukla KBP Instruments Design could carry it out and could provide the integration of a new single-seat turret TKB-799 Kliver fitted with a 2A72 30-mm automatic gun, as well as a launcher for four Kornet missiles.

During a recent visit to Moscow, a Sudanese delegation from the Ministry of Defence seems to have expressed interest in the missiles launched from the 9K116 Bastion gun, 9K119 Svir and 9K119 Refleks.

Sudan is one of four African countries, along with Algeria, Zimbabwe and Zambia, with which Russia is increasing military cooperation.

The Sudanese Air Force has started taking delivery of a dozen MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters purchased from Russia in December 2001. The first pair of MiG 29 jets reached Sudan last December, and two more were delivered in January. The rest are expected to reach Sudan during this year.

Sudan has signed military cooperation agreement with Malaysia in February and studying to sign a similar one with India.