Russia delivers more aircrafts to Mali

The Malian Armed Forces formally inducted another consignment of Russian jets and helicopters in a ceremony on 19 January.

The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) formally inducted another consignment of Russian jets and helicopters in a ceremony on 19 January, including a Su-25 ground-attack aircraft to replace the one that crashed in October 2022.

The FAMa did not say how many aircraft had been delivered, but media coverage of the event showed five L-39 light attack/trainer aircraft, a single Su-25 attack aircraft, and two Mi-8 transport helicopters lined up for the event at Modibo Keita International Airport. All had previously unseen FAMa serial numbers.

Four of the five L-39s had been repainted a two-tone desert camouflage, the fifth in a previously unseen darker camouflage scheme. The FAMa released a photograph showing two L-39s with the darker camouflage flying, suggesting at least six of the jets have been delivered.

The previous handover event was held on 9 August 2022, when four L-39s in Russian camouflage, a single Su-25, an Mi-24P attack helicopter, and an Mi-8T transport helicopter were shown. However, satellite imagery showed six L-39s at the airbase next to the airport four days earlier.

The FAMa confirmed the Su-25 crashed in the vicinity of Gao airport on 4 October, killing the pilot and a member of the ground crew.

Source: Janes Defence News,  Jeremy Binnie, 23 January 2023

Photo: One Su-25, five L-39s, and two Mi-8s lined up for the handover ceremony at Bamako's international airport on 19 January. (Photo by Presidence Mali)

Editor: Hisham Nabil Yassinn (North African ©XAirForces News Editor from Egypt)

Keywords: Mali, Malian Armed Forces (FAMa), Malian Armed Forces, FAMa, Russia, Su-25, L-39, Mi-8, Military Aircraft, Air Force, FAMa, Aircraft Delivery

2023 01 23 Russia delivers more aircraft to Mali


(23.01.2023)