The videos appeared on the network showing military exercises in Algeria. These videos reveal that the Algerian military has gained access to at least several short-range air defense systems known as Tor-M2K, which had not been previously reported. The footage showcases at least two of these air defense systems, but it is possible that more have been delivered.
A notable feature of the Algerian Tor-M2K air defense system is that it is mounted on the wheeled chassis of the Belarusian-produced MZKT-6922, manufactured by the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant. It is noteworthy that the Armed Forces of Belarus also employ the Tor-M2K systems in the same configuration.
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It is highly unlikely that Minsk was the supplier of the air defense systems. This is because Belarus has been unable to fulfill its own procurement plan for acquiring 10 batteries of such complexes for its own armed forces over the course of 11 years. As of the end of December 2022, they only possessed six batteries.
Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the Tor-M2K systems, even in limited quantities, were directly sold by russia as the actual manufacturer of these systems. However, considering the unconventional use of Belarusian wheeled chassis, two potential scenarios may be possible.
Alternatively, the russian military-industrial complex may have simply acquired the necessary wheeled chassis through a barter arrangement, while retaining all the export proceeds from the deliveries to Algeria. Another possibility is that Alexander Lukashenko also received his “bonus” from the Algerian shipments in the form of currency revenue from the Algerians.
Since the Belarusian military-industrial complex is also interested in securing income from export deliveries, especially when it cannot boast significant purchases from its own military.
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