Algeria has ordered 22 Russian-built Su-24 Fencer strike bombers in a $120 million deal. The planes will be taken from stored but flyable aircraft taken out of service by the shrinking Russian Air Force. The first two aircraft have arrived, and the rest are due by the middle of next year. Algeria has 12 Su-24M Fencer-D bombers and four Su-24MR Fencer-E recon planes in its inventory; the 22 new aircraft will give it one of the most powerful strike forces in the region.--Stephen V Cole
