• Algeria likely received Russia’s Su-57E, according to various media and analyst coverage.
• Evidence is strong, though still yet to be confirmed.
• Such an export would signal Russia’s determination to maintain its status as a top-tier arms supplier in the country

Russia has indicated that its most advanced fifth-generation fighter jet, the Sukhoi Su-57 (export version Su-57E), has finally entered the export phase, marking what would be the aircraft’s first delivery to a foreign customer. During the Dubai Airshow on 17–18 November 2025, Vadim Badeha, Director General of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), revealed on Russia’s Channel One that two Su-57 aircraft had already been handed over to an unnamed foreign partner and had “begun combat duty.”

Although no official confirmation was made regarding the buyer’s identity, international defense media and analysts swiftly converged on Algeria as the most likely recipient, supported by a series of public statements, sourcing patterns, and long-standing procurement signals. The hypothesis of Algerian ownership gained credibility after Algeria’s national broadcaster ENTV reported in February 2025 that the country had become the first export customer for the Su-57E.

According to that report, Algerian pilots were already undergoing training in Russia and deliveries were expected before the end of the year. This level of transparency is unusual for Algerian military acquisitions, which typically remain confidential, thereby lending weight to the announcement. Around the same period, Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheev confirmed the existence of a contract for Su-57E deliveries starting in 2025, though he declined to identify the client. His statements nonetheless matched the timeline and intentions articulated by Algerian media.

Additional momentum came from leaked documents attributed to the “Black Mirror” hacker group in October 2025, which allegedly detailed a procurement package for 12 to 14 Su-57E fighters and additional Su-34 aircraft for Algeria. At the same time, leaked files require cautious interpretation; the information is aligned with years of reporting from regional defense observers who consistently cited Algeria as the primary candidate for the aircraft’s first export.

Other countries mentioned in the past, such as India, Turkey, or Iran, have either withdrawn, faced political barriers, or selected alternative platforms, leaving Algeria as the only country with the financial capacity, operational need, and documented interest. Despite this convergence of evidence, essential uncertainties remain. Neither Moscow nor Algiers has issued a joint statement, shared imagery, or released verifiable documentation confirming the presence of Su-57E aircraft in Algerian markings.

Furthermore, the Su-57 program has faced production delays, component shortages, and technical challenges that could impact the scale and timing of exports. Russia claims to have delivered more than 50 Su-57s to its own forces by late 2025, but external verification is limited, and sanctions continue to complicate Russia’s ability to support the export of sophisticated defense products. These factors could influence after-sales service, spare parts supply, and long-term upgrade cycles, all of which are critical for any foreign operator.

If Algeria has indeed taken delivery of the Su-57E, the transaction would represent a significant breakthrough for Russia’s aerospace industry at a time when sanctions and geopolitical pressures have strained its production lines. It would also mark an important step forward in Algeria’s air force modernization strategy, reinforcing a partnership with Moscow that spans decades and includes the acquisition of multiple generations of Russian aircraft and air-defense systems. The Su-57E’s introduction into Algerian service would add a next-generation capability to a fleet already dominated by modernized Russian platforms, while offering a potential alternative to Western fifth-generation fighters for countries unable or unwilling to purchase the F-35.

On the global stage, such an export would signal Russia’s determination to maintain its status as a top-tier arms supplier, despite the constraints imposed by international sanctions and competing suppliers in Asia and the Middle East. It would also demonstrate that the Su-57 program, often criticized for delays and limited production numbers, is nonetheless mature enough to reach the export market. However, the platform's long-term credibility will depend on Russia’s ability to sustain dependable production rates, provide consistent maintenance support, and demonstrate the aircraft’s operational performance in real deployments.

Idriss Linge