Algeria Receives the First Su-35, but Still Waits for the Su-57
Algeria is technically the first foreign buyer of the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-57, but the North African nation is still stuck with its predecessor aircraft.
In the meantime, this month, Algiers has received the first of a planned two dozen Sukhoi Su-35 fighters.
The aircraft arrived at Oum el Bouaghi Air Base, Oum el Bouaghi Province, on March 13. Algeria is now just the third foreign operator of the Russian Su-35 after China and Iran—while Egypt, India, and the United Arab Emirates have reportedly expressed interest in the advanced multirole fighter.
Beijing first acquired the Su-35 as part of a $2 billion deal nearly a decade ago and now operates twenty-four fighters. Meanwhile, Tehran finalized an agreement with Moscow over a year ago, a sign of closer ties between the two countries.
Western analysts have noted that the acquisition of the Su-35 could significantly increase the capabilities of the Islamic Republic’s Air Force.
Egyptian Fighters Now in Algeria?
According to a report from Army Recognition, Algeria’s speedy delivery of the Su-35 resulted from a failed deal with Egypt.
Cairo initially “placed an order in 2018 but later withdrew due to Western economic and political pressure.” While Tehran has also adopted the Su-35, cash-strapped Iran opted for air defense systems instead of fighters.
“Analysts suggest that Algeria’s decision to accept the Su-35 is linked to delays in the Su-57 production schedule, leading to an interim solution,” the Army Recognition report further noted. This may have also been more “cost-effective” for Algeria but allowed it to receive modern fighters now instead of waiting years for the Su-57.
As previously reported, a North African arms race and de facto Cold War is underway as regional rival Morocco has modernized its military. It acquired a batch of F-16C/D Fighting Falcon Block 72 fighters from the United States. Rabat has expressed interest in the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II and could be the first Arab and African nation to acquire the fifth-generation multirole fighter.
The Flanker-E Looks Quite Attractive to Algeria
Designated the “Flanker-E” by NATO, the Su-35 isn’t a fifth-generation fighter.
Still, it could be a suitable transition aircraft for Algeria, which has long relied on Soviet/Russian military aircraft. Algeria’s Cold War and post-Cold War Russian warbirds include a mix of Mikoyan MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-30MKA fighters and even older Sukhoi Su-24 tactical bombers.
The “4++ generation” Su-35, which was initially developed as an export model of the Su-27, has been described as a competent foe to current U.S. aircraft, including the F-15 Eagle, the F/A-18 Super Hornet, and potentially even the F-35 Lightning II.
Moscow has touted it as one of the most advanced fourth-generation aircraft systems, combining many fifth-generation elements. The Kremlin has claimed the multirole supermaneuverable one-seat fighter was designed to engage air and ground threats and counteract naval surface forces of an enemy.
Though initially intended for export, Moscow liked what Sukhoi delivered and adopted the Su-35 in 2014. Just a year later, it saw its first combat deployment in Syria, where it was employed to provide cover for other Russian aircraft on bombing missions.
It may now serve as a “stopgap” for Algiers while it waits for the Su-57.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: at [email protected].
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