Russia and Niger signed a deal on Wednesday that will see Moscow supply Niamey with 12 Mi-35 attack helicopters a senior official at Russia's federal military-technical cooperation service said.

The deal was announced on the first day of the first ever Russia-Africa Summit, hosted by President Vladimir Putin and attended by more than 40 of African leaders.

The two-day event will see more than 3,000 delegates from across Russia and Africa discuss an array of topics, with the hopes of signing various cooperation deals.

Niger's Foreign Minister Kalla Ankourao, while confirming the deal, said the aircrafts will be used to fight the Boko Haram terrorist organization.

The helicopters deal is the latest development in the two countries' military cooperation, which has also seen Nigerien troops receive training in Russian military academies.

The Russia-Africa Summit is co-hosted by Russia and Egypt.