Su-57E in Algeria: The Country Likely Receives Its First Russian Fifth-Generation Fighters

Algeria has likely received its first Russian fifth-generation Su-57E fighter jets.

A user identified as @Yahia532852879 shared a video showing an aircraft of this type flying over Algerian territory on the social media platform X.

The footage captures a Su-57 fighter in flight. The surrounding terrain and desert landscape visible in the video indicate that the recording was made in an African region, consistent with Algeria’s geography.

A detailed visual analysis of the aircraft shows that it fully matches the design and characteristics of the Russian Su-57, suggesting that flight operations involving this aircraft type have begun in Algerian airspace.

Negotiations over the potential acquisition of the Su-57 began actively in 2019, when an Algerian delegation closely examined the export variant, the Su-57E, at the MAKS air show in Russia.

Meanwhile, the first media reports appeared about the signing of a contract worth approximately $2 billion for 14 aircraft.

However, the implementation of the deal was repeatedly delayed due to technical issues related to establishing full-scale serial production in Russia, as well as the need to adapt the aircraft’s avionics to the customer’s requirements.

Throughout 2023–2024, the contract status remained unofficial. Russian officials hinted at the existence of a “foreign customer” without naming the country.

Meanwhile, the Algerian side was preparing infrastructure at its air bases, including the construction of hardened aircraft shelters.

The training of Algerian pilots at Russian training centers also took place under strict secrecy, although some information about it occasionally appeared online.

As early as 2025, UAC CEO Vadim Badekha stated on Russian television that the United Aircraft Corporation had delivered two Su-57 fighter jets to an undisclosed foreign customer.

Most likely, this delivery was made to Algeria, where one of these fighter jets was recently spotted in the sky.

Militarnyi previously reported that Algeria had ordered Su-34 fighter-bombers from Russia, one of which was observed by spotters in desert camouflage.