TNI: the Algerian Air Force is armed with Su-35 fighters
Algeria has become the first foreign buyer of the Su-57, but is still receiving a batch of Su-35s, The National Interest writes. The shipments strengthen Russia's military presence in the strategic region where Morocco is acquiring American F-16s. This is a clear success of the Russian military-industrial complex: Moscow has proved that it can offer modern alternatives to its partners.
Peter Suciu
Algeria formally became the first foreign customer of the Russian Su-57 fighter, but so far the North African power continues to use the previous model.
Algeria received its first Su-35 fighter jet this month, with two dozen planned for delivery.
The plane arrived at the Umm al-Bouagi airbase in the province of the same name on March 13. As a result, Algeria became the third largest foreign operator of the Su-35 after China and Iran. In addition, Egypt, India and the United Arab Emirates are interested in the improved multirole fighter.
Beijing first acquired the Su-35 in a $2 billion deal almost a decade ago and still operates twenty-four fighter jets. Tehran signed an agreement with Moscow more than a year ago to mark closer ties between the two countries.
Western analysts point out that the purchase of the Su-35 can significantly enhance the capabilities of the Islamic Republic's Air Force.
Are the “Egyptian” fighters in Algeria now?
According to the Army Recognition publication, the imminent delivery of the Su-35 to Algeria was the result of a failed deal with Egypt.
Cairo placed the order in 2018, but later withdrew it due to economic and political pressure from the West. Tehran also chose the Su-35, but due to lack of funds, it preferred air defense systems to fighters.
“According to analysts, the delivery of the Su-35 is associated with delays in the production of the Su-57,” the Army Recognition report further notes. This decision may turn out to be the “most economically feasible” for Algeria, as it will allow it to get modern fighters now, instead of waiting for years for the Su-57.
As previously reported, an arms race has unfolded in North Africa and, in fact, a cold war. Algeria's regional rival Morocco is modernizing its armed forces and has already acquired a batch of Block 72 F-16C/D Fighting Falcon (“Combat Falcon”) fighter jets from the United States. Rabat also expressed interest in the F-35 Lightning II (“Lightning”) from Lockheed Martin and may be the first Arab and African country to purchase a fifth-generation multirole fighter.
Su-35 and its attractiveness to Algeria
The Su-35 (according to the NATO classification: Flanker-E) does not belong to fifth-generation fighters.
However, it is quite suitable as a transitional option for Algeria, which has long operated Soviet and Russian military aircraft. The current Algerian Air Force fleet is a mix of MiG-29 and Su-30MKA fighters and even older Su-24 tactical bombers.
The Su-35 belongs to the ”4++“ generation and was originally developed as an export model of the Su-27, which was considered a worthy opponent of American fighters from the F-15 Eagle ("Eagle") and F/A-18 Super Hornet (“Hornet") up to the F-35 Lightning II.
Moscow touts it as one of the most advanced aircraft systems of the fourth generation, incorporating many elements of the fifth. The Kremlin claims that this multipurpose, super-maneuverable single-seat fighter is designed to combat air and ground threats and counter enemy surface forces.
Initially, the Su-35 was intended for export, but Moscow was so attracted to the brainchild of the Sukhoi company that in 2014 it adopted it itself. Just a year later, the planes took part in combat operations in Syria for the first time, where they were used to cover other Russian aircraft during bombing raids.
Now it can serve as a temporary measure for Algeria in anticipation of the Su-57.
