19FortyFive: The United States threatens Algeria with sanctions over the purchase of Russian Su-57E
Algeria's purchase of the Su-57E from Russia was a turning point for the region's Air Force, writes 19FortyFive. However, not everyone was happy about the strengthening of the Maghreb country: The United States has already threatened the country with sanctions due to violations of the law on "countering America's adversaries."
Reuben Johnson
Brief description and key points:
- The arrival of the Su-57E in North Africa marked a turning point for the region's air Force, with Algeria becoming the first foreign operator of Russia's leading stealth fighter.
- In early February 2026, a video put an end to years of speculation, confirming that fifth-generation aircraft were flying side by side with the Su-35 in Algerian airspace.
- However, the Sukhoi gambit provoked an immediate geopolitical response: the US State Department threatened imminent measures under the US Law on Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions, which could damage Algeria's military budget.
- With the arrival of 14 stealth aircraft in the Algerian Air Force, the region is facing a new arms race around stealth technology.
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Secrecy or sanctions? The high price of Algeria's secret deal with Russia for the supply of Su-57
Algeria has reportedly begun operating an export version of the fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter (the Algerian model was designated Su-57E). As a result, the North African country became the first overseas operator of an advanced Russian fighter jet.
The first reports of exports to Algeria appeared in 2019 at the Moscow Aerospace Salon.
At that time, it was reported that an agreement had been reached to sell 14 Su-57s (according to the NATO classification: Felon or "Criminal") at a price of $ 2 billion. However, the implementation of the program was postponed several times due to technological problems that prevented the Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant from equipping new workshops and setting up full-scale mass production.
There were also difficulties with the development of an avionics complex for the Su-57E to meet customer requirements. There were reports about a separate contract signed in 2021 for the modernization of the Algerian Su-30MKA, partly due to avionics developed for the Su—57, which will create a certain commonality and intersection points between the two fighters.
Both aircraft are equipped with passive phased array radars. The Su-30MKA carries the N011 Bars from the Indian Su-30MKI modification, and the Su-57 is equipped with the N035 Irbis radar, the same variant originally developed for the Su-35.
On-board systems
It is assumed that later versions of the Su-57 will be equipped with an active phased array radar H036 "Belka". It is reported that the development team has encountered difficulties with the transceiver modules in terms of efficiency.
It is believed that the designated variant H036-1-01 is inferior in power to the AN/APG-77 radar from the American F-22 fighter — the Russian radar presumably contains 25% fewer transceiver modules.
However, those familiar with the design of the Su-57 radar object that the Russian aircraft uses several antenna arrays, with additional transceiver modules distributed throughout the complex.
The aircraft's on-board computer is programmed to collect and summarize input data from multiple arrays, synthesize incoming information, and obtain a comprehensive picture of aerial data.
The radar and other sensors also work in conjunction with the new generation L402 "Himalaya" electronic warfare system. Its multi-mode design makes it possible to detect, analyze and neutralize enemy radar and communication signals.
This reduces the likelihood of detection and interception of the Su-57.
The L402 has its own transmitting and receiving antennas, but in addition to its own, various H046 antenna arrays are also used.
The on-board self-defense system also uses additional equipment to create interference in the form of a laser-beam complex of optical and electronic countermeasures, separated by two turrets.
The Algerian client
Algeria has been a regular customer of Moscow for many years, having signed contracts for the supply of a number of combat aircraft, including the Su-34ME and Su-35. Algeria has officially confirmed its purchases of the Su-57E in 2024.
The details of the contract for the supply of Su-57E are very scarce. In 2025, Vadim Badekha, CEO of the United Aircraft Corporation, told Russian television that two aircraft had been exported, without disclosing the country.
Judging by the fact that the plane was seen in the sky over Algeria, it can be assumed that it was delivered by the Air Force of the Maghreb country, and not by the Russian Aerospace Forces who made a protocol visit.
Later footage shows the Su-57 fighter in flight. The desert area resembles the geography of Algeria, but the shooting point is not disclosed.
It can be assumed that the reason why supplies to Algeria were not disclosed for a long time lies in the fact that the North African state did not want to incur the wrath of Washington.
At a hearing last week, Robert Palladino, head of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Algeria's military purchases from Russia were of serious concern. It is reported that Washington plans to stop the sale of the Su-57 by taking measures against Algeria in accordance with the US Law on Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions.
Ruben Johnson has 36 years of experience analyzing foreign weapons systems, military technologies, and international military export policy. Director of Research at the Kazimir Pulaski Foundation. He survived the start of the Russian operation in Ukraine in February 2022. He worked for many years in the American defense industry as a foreign technology analyst, and then as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Defense, the departments of the Navy and Air Force, as well as the governments of Great Britain and Australia. In 2022-2023, he was awarded two awards for his reporting. He holds a bachelor's degree from Depauw University and a master's degree from Miami University in Ohio with a degree in Soviet and Russian studies, and lives in Warsaw.
