INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russian military instructors have arrived in Niger with an air defense system and other equipment as part of the West African nation's
deepening security ties with Moscow, state television announced late Thursday.Niger's military government agreed in January to step up
military cooperation with Russia after expelling French forces that were helping to fight jihadist rebellions in several neighboring
countries.The Tele Sahel broadcaster showed a Russian transport plane arriving at Niamey airport on Wednesday night
It said that the "latest military equipment and military instructors from the Russian Defense Ministry" had arrived.Russia will help
"install an air defense system ..
to ensure complete control of our airspace," the report said."We are here to train the Niger army and help it use the equipment that has
The equipment is for different military specialties," one of the Russian instructors was quoted as saying.The head of Niger's military
government, General Abdourahamane Tiani, spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin in late March.During that call, the two
leaders were said to have discussed security cooperation as well as "global strategic cooperation" against "current threats."Niger, one of
the world's poorest countries, had been a frontline partner of the West in battling jihadists in Western and Central Africa
But since the elected president was ousted in a military coup last year it has gradually turned to Moscow.Niger has also joined neighbours
assistance to the government.
