Military Industry Stand: Modernism and Innovation

Covering an area of 3,405 m², this sector demonstrates, with supporting evidence and through its various production units, that it is resolutely focused on modernism and innovation. Upon entering the Palestine pavilion, visitors are immediately drawn to the impressive, brand-new machinery on display at the military industry stand. This is an opportunity for mechanical enthusiasts to get a close look at the vehicles, bombard industry representatives with questions, and ask for permission to climb aboard for a souvenir photo.

21 ANP production units take part in the 33rd FPA

Professional players are also present, seeking high-quality, standard-compliant, durable and competitively priced vehicles. A range of machinery and vehicles is on display inside and outside the pavilion, meeting their needs on the one hand and showing, both domestically and internationally, what the Algerian military industry is capable of in terms of production and innovation.

The Ministry of National Defence (MDN) emphasises in a press release that 21 production units of the People's National Army (ANP) are taking part in this edition as part of the drive to revive the Algerian economy and the sector's contribution to the development and promotion of national products. The aim is to raise awareness of the Ministry of National Defence's solid industrial platform, which supports the development of the national economy. These production units, it specifies, fall under the command of the air and naval forces, the Central Equipment Directorate and the Ministry's military industries directorate.

"This economic event will enable visitors to discover first-hand the various products manufactured by these production units, which demonstrate the high level achieved by military industries in their various sectors, such as the manufacture and refurbishment of air and naval equipment, signalling equipment, light and heavy industrial vehicles, electronics and textiles," he reports.

A military aircraft made in Algeria

Several stands occupied by these production units are designed to ensure they do not go unnoticed. Most visitors head for the area in the middle, where a Safir-43 7T-VFB aircraft, made in Algeria, takes pride of place. Young and old alike, as well as children, rush over for a selfie break. This aircraft, says Colonel Ali Belkassime, representative of the Aeronautical Construction Establishment, is one of the aircraft designed by the latter, using national expertise.

"Our company's main purpose is to build two types of aircraft, the Firnas-142 and the Safir-43. In addition to military structures, these two types of aircraft are in high demand by civil protection agencies and flying clubs. Since our company was founded in the 1990s, we have sold 73 aircraft. Our goal is to satisfy the domestic market with export prospects," he said, sharing other projects for other types of aircraft for both civilian and military use. But the stand that attracted the most visitors was that of the Establishment for the Development and Production of Advanced Technology Systems.

A multifunctional drone designed for tactical surveillance missions

A dark, gleaming drone (VTOL), the latest addition to this establishment, is prominently displayed. It is a multifunctional drone designed for tactical surveillance and aerial reconnaissance missions day and night, capable of carrying explosive payloads, with a flight endurance of up to three hours at an altitude of 4,500 metres and a range of up to 40 kilometres.

"It is a hybrid drone that combines the advantages of fixed-wing drones and those with rotating wings (engine). In accordance with the guidelines of the ANP high command, our establishment is participating in the Algerian production fair with the aim of contributing to the establishment of a solid and sustainable industrial base in line with the national economy. This participation also aims to raise public awareness of the activities of our military institutions in the economic and industrial fields," said the company's representative, Lerkam Selman.

It emphasises that, in addition to the drones currently under development, VTOL and Hexarotor and the Auress-700 Quadrirotor drone (approved, certified and marketed), this establishment also provides technical support to Air Force units and acts as a training centre for military and civilian structures in coordination with the National Centre for Drone Systems.

"These are carried out by our specialists, in compliance with current regulations, to ensure proper traceability of the production process and development of this type of drone," he adds. In terms of armament, Lieutenant Colonel Abdelwahab Bahri, production director at the Mechanical Construction Establishment, explains that this military equipment is intended for the ANP and various paramilitary institutions.

Armament: a centre of excellence in the mechanical engineering industry

"Our participation in this fair is to strengthen the brand image of the establishment on the national market. Since the early 1990s, our establishment has established itself as a centre of excellence in the field of mechanical engineering. Thanks to the experience we have gained, we provide high-quality products and technical services that meet the needs of many sectors, particularly in terms of spare parts and production tools. This helps to reduce the need for imports," he said.

He reports that at this year's show, he presented actual samples manufactured 100% locally, including a new product, the 12-gauge semi-automatic pump-action shotgun. Among the new products are two refrigerated containers for food products, intended primarily for civilian and military structures in arid and desert regions.

On the side of the Aeronautical Equipment Refurbishment Facility, the representative of this company, Lieutenant Colonel Yakhlef Yakhlef, assures us that there is no shortage of national expertise in the field of aircraft maintenance and overhaul, fighter planes and manoeuvring, take-off and reconnaissance helicopters under the command of the National Gendarmerie and the Air Force Command, among others.

"Our main mission is to meet the needs of the Air Force Command. We also manufacture spare parts locally that comply with international standards and whose integration rate is increasing year on year," he says. Visitors are impressed by the diversity and quality of the military industry's products, particularly the heavy equipment. "This reassures us about the future and security of the country."