Niger signs agreement with Russia for three satellites

Niger has finalized a deal with Glavkosmos, a subsidiary of Russia’s Roscosmos space agency, to acquire three satellites aimed at enhancing security in the Sahel region, where Niger and its neighbours are facing jihadist threats.

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, all currently under military governance following a series of coups since 2020, formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in September 2023 after severing ties with their former colonial power, France, and shifting their focus towards Russia, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

These countries are grappling with jihadist violence that began in northern Mali in 2012 and has since spread to Niger and Burkina Faso in 2015.

The agreement includes a communications satellite, a remote sensing satellite, and a radar satellite, according to Nigerien Communications Minister Sidi Mohamed Raliou, who announced the deal during a signing ceremony in the capital, Niamey. The manufacturing process in Russia is expected to take four years.

In the interim, state radio reported that Glavkosmos has agreed to provide loaned equipment of a similar kind.

“This significant project aligns with the sovereignty of our nations,” the minister remarked. He also noted that upon completion of the project, the three countries will have the capability to operate and manage their communication satellites independently.

By Vafa Guliyeva