Algeria has confirmed that it has purchased Russia's Su-57 stealth fighter jet, becoming the first international customer of the fifth-generation aircraft.
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| Russian military's Su-57 stealth fighter. (Source: TASS) |
Algeria's purchase of the Su-57 is seen as part of its military modernization strategy, aimed at maintaining air superiority in the region and enhancing its defense capabilities against potential threats. According to plans, the first Su-57s will officially enter service with the Algerian Air Force in 2026.
Currently, the Algerian Air Force operates a variety of Russian-made military hardware, including Su-30MKA and MiG-29 fighters and S-300 air defense systems. Adding the Su-57 to its ranks will not only significantly enhance its combat power, but also solidify its position as one of the strongest air forces in Africa.
The Su-57 is a fifth-generation fighter jet developed by the Sukhoi corporation, designed to compete directly with rivals such as the US F-35 Lightning II and China's J-20.
The aircraft is designed to have supersonic flight capabilities, maneuverability, stealth and advanced avionics to overcome previous generation fighters as well as ground and naval defenses. The Su-57 is intended to replace the MiG-29 and Su-27 in the Russian Air Force.
The Su-57's main selling points are its stealth capabilities, super-maneuverability, and advanced avionics. While the specific terms of the contract between Algeria and Russia have not been disclosed, some sources say the export version of the Su-57 will be "significantly cheaper" than the F-35, making it an attractive option for many countries looking for a next-generation fighter.
For many years, Russia has been actively promoting the Su-57 in the international market, with the ambition of competing with Western aircraft. Moscow has sought to attract potential customers such as Türkiye and India, and in 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin personally introduced the Su-57 to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
However, so far, no agreements have been signed with these countries, making Algeria the first international customer to order this state-of-the-art fighter jet.
The Su-57, known to NATO as "Felon", is a multirole fighter capable of performing a variety of roles including air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance and electronic warfare.
The Su-57's weapons systems are mainly arranged inside the fuselage to reduce radar signals, including a 30mm GSh-30-1 cannon, weapon bays that can carry a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, and the ability to deploy nuclear weapons.
The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 2.45 (about 2,600 km/h), a range of 1,800 km (expandable with in-flight refueling) and a maximum payload of up to 37,000 kg. In particular, the Su-57 possesses the Sh121 AESA active phased array radar system, allowing it to detect and attack multiple targets at the same time while maintaining stealth against enemy radars.
The Su-57 is also equipped with two powerful jet engines with a vector thrust system, giving it superior maneuverability in air combat.
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