Algeria eyes first-in-Africa Su‑57 deal amid NATO concerns
Algeria may become the first African country to acquire Su-57 fighters. A delegation from the Russian Ministry of Defense is in Algeria to finalize the transaction.
A delegation from the Russian Ministry of Defense is in Algeria to finalize the agreement for the purchase of Su-57 fighters. If the transaction goes through, Algeria will become the first African country to possess these advanced combat aircraft. This information was reported by the military portal Bulgarianmilitary, citing the Russian Telegram channel Russian Arms.
For years, Algeria has been one of Russia's most important military partners, second only to India in terms of importing Russian weaponry. Between 2016 and 2020, Algeria purchased $4.2 billion worth of arms from Russia, accounting for 15 percent of Moscow's total arms sales. The Algerian Air Force already operates Russian Su-30MKA, MiG-29, and Su-24 aircraft.
Will the purchase be a problem for NATO?
The purchase of the Su-57 is seen as a strategic move by Algeria in response to Morocco's growing military power, as Morocco is modernizing its air force with American F-16C/D Block 72 fighters. However, this could also pose a challenge for NATO countries in the future, especially France and Spain, with whom Algeria has very tense relations.
The manufacturer of the Su-57, Russian United Aircraft Corporation, has so far encountered difficulties in finding foreign buyers for this aircraft. After the air show in China last November, the Kremlin announced that it had found a customer.
The Su-57 is a multirole fighter jet developed by the Russian company Sukhoi and is the first designed with stealth technology, meaning reduced detectability. In NATO, it is known by the code name Felon; it first entered service in the Russian air force in 2022.
However, Western analysts, including Peter Suciu, an American writer specializing in military affairs, assert that the capabilities of the Su-57 are exaggerated. Suciu noted that the aircraft is probably not as advanced as the hype surrounding it suggests.
The analyst concluded that the United States and its allies have used the F-35 in combat, and the USA has also deployed the F-22 to the battlefield. Russia has not done the same with the Su-57. This says a lot about this aircraft, Suciu stated.
