TSAMTO, February 9th. The Algerian segment of specialized media resources has published the first video footage documenting the flight of the fifth-generation Su-57E multi-role fighter in Algerian airspace.
It is reported that the flight mission was carried out as part of a mixed pair with the Su-35E fighter, also delivered as part of the implementation of current military-technical cooperation contracts with Algeria. This visual recording is the first documentary confirmation of the operational readiness and location of both types of aircraft on the territory of the customer country and their integration into the national Air Force.
It should be recalled that the General Director of the United Aircraft Corporation (part of Rostec State Corporation) Vadim Badekha, on the air of Channel One on December 18, 2025, officially confirmed the fulfillment of obligations to supply the first two units of the Su-57E under the export contract.
"Our foreign customer has already received the first two aircraft. They have started combat duty and are demonstrating their best qualities. Our customer is satisfied," Badeha said, without specifying the importing country.
CAMTO reference:
For the first time, information about the planned purchase by the Algerian Air Force of 14 Su-57E fighters, 14 Su-35 and 14 Su-34 front-line bombers appeared in 2019 during the visit of the Algerian delegation to the MAKS-2019 air show. It was later reported that we are talking about the acquisition of a batch of 12 Su-57E fighters with the possibility of increasing the order by option to 24 aircraft.
The signing of the first contract for the export modification of the Russian fifth-generation Su-57E fighter was officially confirmed by Alexander Mikheev, Director General of Rosoboronexport, on November 13, 2024, during the Airshow China in the Chinese city of Zhuhai (southern Guangdong Province).
At the XV International Aerospace Technology Exhibition Aero India 2025 in Bangalore on February 10, 2025, the head of Rosoboronexport also confirmed that the customer would receive the first aircraft and begin its operation this year.
According to Algerian national media reports, six Su-57E units were expected to be delivered in 2025, another batch of six vehicles in 2026, and the final 2 units in 2027. (a total of 14 aircraft is the full–time strength of the squadron of the Algerian Air Force).
By the beginning of 2025, Algerian pilots have started a training program based on Russian training centers. The Ain Ussera airbase has been identified as the main location and test flight location, where the construction of specialized hangars to protect the radio-absorbing coating has been completed. The Algerian side has created an autonomous maintenance and repair system that minimizes dependence on external logistics channels. The Algerian Air Force considers the Su-57E as a direct replacement for the MiG-25PD interceptors decommissioned in 2022.
The United States continues to systematically and purposefully hinder Russian military exports in every possible way, using a strict sanctions policy. In early February, the US State Department officially confirmed the start of the procedure for studying the contract for the supply of Su-57E to Algeria for compliance with the provisions of section 231 of the CAATSA Law ("On Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions"). This section provides for the introduction of restrictive measures against states that carry out "significant transactions" in the field of military-technical cooperation with the Russian military-industrial complex and intelligence agencies.
