Sudan May Receive Algerian MiG-29s to Fight Ukrainian Special Forces

Sudan may soon receive up to 31 MiG-29 fighter jets from Algeria to bolster its military capabilities amid an ongoing internal conflict.

According to reports from Defense Arabic, Algeria’s Defense Ministry intends to transfer these Russian-made aircraft to aid Sudan in combating the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Reaction Forces (RRF). The RRF is said to be receiving assistance from the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, whose special forces are reportedly involved in the fighting.

Algeria originally acquired the MiG-29s in 1999 through a contract with Russia and Belarus, receiving all 31 aircraft by the following year. Despite their early use, the Algerian military later shifted its focus to more advanced Russian aircraft, such as the Su-30MKA, which now serves as the mainstay of the Algerian Air Force. By 2020, the MiG-29s were gradually decommissioned and placed into storage. The current plan is to transfer these older aircraft to Sudan, where they are expected to play a key role in government military operations against the RRF.

The Algerian Air Force now reportedly prioritizes the Su-30MKA heavy fighter, with around 72 units in service, due to its superior capabilities over the smaller MiG-29, despite higher costs. This potential transfer supports Algeria's modernization efforts, including plans to acquire Su-57 jets and maintain its 70 Su-30 fighters. Algeria has been negotiating with Russia for Su-57 fighters since the early 2020s as part of a broader plan to upgrade its air force.

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Sudan has faced significant political and military turmoil since the 2019 coup d'état, which led to the ousting of longtime president Omar al-Bashir. The subsequent internal conflict between Sudan's National Armed Forces and various militia groups has drawn in external actors, including Ukrainian military intelligence, further complicating the already volatile situation.