Mali takes delivery of Russian, Turkish military hardware

Colonel Assimi Goïta, leader of the transition in Mali, attended Thursday the delivery of three Turkish Bayraktar TB2, four Russian L-39 ALBATROS fighter jets and several other military equipment to beef up the power of Malian armed forces.
“These new weapons systems, composed of several Bayraktar TB2 UAVs and L-39 ALBATROS fighters, are the result of a partnership between Mali and the Russian Federation and Türkiye,” said Colonel Sadio Camara, Mali’s Defense Minister.
“These new acquisitions will not only improve the strike power of the Malian Armed Forces, but will also increase the effectiveness of their intelligence tools. These acquisitions are in addition to those already received, including transport and combat equipment,” he added.
Mali has been facing terror groups and insurgency since 2012. Under Goita the country has veered towards Russia at the expense of former colonial master France.
Russia has delivered several military equipment to the West African country. Türkiye also delivered in December several Bayraktar TB2 surveillance drones.