Russia signs deal to supply Niger with 12 attack helicopters

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou during a working luncheon attended by heads of African regional organizations on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Summit and Economic Forum in the Black sea resort of Sochi, Russia.

Russia and Niger have signed a deal for Moscow to supply 12 Mi-35 attack helicopters to Niger, a senior official at Russia’s federal military-technical cooperation service said on Wednesday, the RIA news agency reported.

The contract was announced as Russia welcomed dozens of African heads of state to the southern Russian city of Sochi amid a push by Moscow for clout on the continent.