The National People’s Army of Algeria has taken delivery of 110 more Mercedes Benz BA6 Class G 4×4 vehicles built locally by a company set up last year under a partnership between Algeria, the United Arab Emirates and Germany.
In a statement released following the delivery of the vehicles to the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) last month, the Ministry of National Defence said the vehicles are part of the 275 ordered for the army.
“As part of the implementation of the stimulus programme initiated by President of the Republic (Abdel Aziz Bouteflika) to boost national industry and the interest of the high command of the People’s National Army (ANP) for the development of military industrial potential to meet the needs of our armed forces and contribute to national development, DGSN received today 110 Mercedes-Benz (BA6) class (G) vehicles out of 275 all terrain vehicles manufactured by the SAFAV-MB [Algerian Society of Vehicle Manufacturers – Mercedes Benz]…in Tiaret,” the statement read.
This follows the delivery of 200 BA6 G Class four wheel drive vehicles which were distributed to units of the regular army and paramilitary forces early this year. The last delivery of locally-built military vehicles is expected to take place in January next year.
The motor vehicle manufacturing plant was set up in October last year as a partnership between the governments of Germany, Algeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is expected to produce 2 000 4×4 vehicles and 6 000 Sprinter passenger vehicles annually when it enters full production later this year.
In addition to the Mercedes production facility, Algeria will receive an armoured vehicle assembly plant from Rheinmetall and this will produce Fuchs 6×6 vehicles and other parts. Algeria will build 980 Fuchs 2 vehicles as part of a 2.7 billion euro deal.
In 2011 Germany authorised the export of 54 Fuchs vehicles worth 195 million euros to Algeria, as well as other military vehicles worth 286 million euros, according to Der Spiegel. Around 1 200 Fuchs vehicles will be delivered between 2015 and 2025.
Algeria has ordered around ten billion euros worth of military equipment from Germany in the last few years, including two Meko A200 frigates from Thyssen-Krupp and SUVs and trucks from Daimler. In 2013 Algeria purchased 825 million euros worth of tank parts, SUVs and trucks from Germany.