Senior Russian Officials En Route to Algeria, Poised to Secure First Su-57 Export Deal ??
If reports from the Russian Arms Telegram channel are accurate, Algeria would become the first international customer for Russia’s Su-57 fighter jets and the first African nation to operate a fifth-generation combat aircraft.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – A delegation of senior Russian officials is reportedly en route to Algeria, potentially to finalize negotiations for the purchase of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jets.
If reports from the Russian Arms Telegram channel are accurate, Algeria would become the first international customer for Russia’s Su-57 fighter jets and the first African nation to operate a fifth-generation combat aircraft.
According to the channel, the Russian delegation aims to solidify military-technical cooperation between the two countries, sign contracts for advanced weapon systems, and finalize the sale of Su-57 fighter jets.
Algeria has long been one of Russia’s key arms markets in Africa and the world, second only to India which remains as the top market for Russian arms.
The Algerian Air Force currently operates several Russian-made fighter jets, including the Su-30MKA, MiG-29, and Su-24.
The North African nation has shown sustained interest in the Su-57 over recent years, with media reports suggesting Algeria intends to acquire 14 units of the fifth-generation aircraft.
Su-57
In 2020, reports indicated that the Algerian government allocated funds for acquiring modern weapon systems under its military modernization program for 2021 to 2027.
The Su-57 fighter jet is among the advanced systems planned for procurement.
Algeria’s decision to acquire the Su-57 is reportedly a strategic response to neighboring Morocco’s acquisition of F-16 Block 70/72 fighter jets from the United States.
Recent media reports also suggest Morocco, which maintains close defense ties with the U.S. and Israel, is considering purchasing F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets from Lockheed Martin.
At the Airshow 2024 in Zhuhai, China, last November, Russia announced its first export contract for the Su-57E Felon, the export variant of the fifth-generation fighter developed by Sukhoi.
The announcement was made by Alexander Mikheev, CEO of Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state-owned arms export agency.
However, he declined to disclose the identity of the first international buyer.
“We have signed our first foreign sales contract,” Mikheev stated, adding that global interest in Russia’s fifth-generation fighter jet remains high.
Although the buyer has not been officially confirmed, speculation suggests Algeria is the first export customer.
The exact number of aircraft involved is unclear, but during a 2019 visit by Algeria’s military delegation to the Moscow International Aviation and Space Salon (MAKS), reports indicated Algeria planned to procure 14 Su-57 jets.
Initial reports suggest the first delivery of these 14 Su-57 jets could begin between 2025 and 2027.
Over the past decade, defense relations between Algeria and Russia have deepened significantly, driven by Algeria’s strategic focus on modernizing its military and diversifying its arsenal with state-of-the-art systems.
Su-57E
Between 2010 and 2020, Algeria signed major contracts for advanced platforms such as the Su-30MKA, MiG-29M/M2 fighter jets, and upgraded T-90S main battle tanks.
Russia has also supplied Algeria with sophisticated air defense systems, including the S-300PMU-2 and, more recently, the S-400 Triumf, underscoring the strength of their defense partnership.
These agreements reflect Algeria’s reliance on Russian expertise to counterbalance NATO-supplied assets in the region. — DSA