In recent days, a group of hackers published on forums and social media a spreadsheet detailing a significant number of system deliveries intended for aircraft currently being produced by Russia. The document, part of the correspondence of Radioelectronic Technologies, includes a column specifying the supply of equipment for a batch of 14 Su-34 fighter-bombers for a foreign client — in this case, the Algerian Air Force — marking the first time the quantity of aircraft covered by the agreement between the two countries has been revealed.
Expanding on the details, the spreadsheet lists a wide range of systems to be delivered, including L-265VE radar jamming systems, an L-277VM signals intelligence system, and L-175VSh and L-175VU pods for directional jamming, among other elements that make up an electronic warfare package to be fitted to the 14 aircraft in question. In terms of total costs, the document indicates an amount exceeding 175 million dollars.
It is important to highlight that, until now, it was only known that Algeria had ordered Su-34 fighter-bombers, but not how many. The only available information came from test flights of an aircraft already painted in a desert camouflage scheme indicating its destination with the Algerian Air Force. As previously reported on August 7, a series of images were published showing these aircraft flying over the city of Zhukovsky, confirming progress in the manufacturing process.
These developments are part of a broader modernization process that the Algerian Air Force has undertaken in cooperation with Moscow. In addition to the purchase of 14 Su-34s, it should be remembered that the country has also moved forward with the acquisition of Su-35 fighters, which are currently being incorporated. These aircraft were originally produced for the Egyptian Air Force, but following the potential imposition of U.S. sanctions and the cancellation of the deal by Cairo, they remained in Russian hands.
Furthermore, the African nation is reportedly awaiting the arrival of a batch of new Su-57E stealth fighters (export variant), which would make its Air Force the first international customer for this platform. Specifically, as shown in the aforementioned spreadsheet, Algeria would acquire a dozen of these fighters, representing a major leap in capability compared to its current fleet, which consists mainly of Su-30MKA and MiG-29S/M/M2 fighters, along with Su-24MK2 attack and reconnaissance aircraft and Yak-130 trainers.
Finally, expanding on other entries visible in the leaked spreadsheet, it should also be noted that Russia is reportedly moving forward with the production of up to 48 new Su-35S fighters for the Iranian Air Force. This deal would allow Tehran to replace its aging fleet of U.S.-made F-14 Tomcats, a move that was confirmed by Abolfazl Zohrevand, a member of the National Security Committee of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. The lawmaker also stated that Moscow had strengthened Iran’s weakened fighter fleet with a batch of MiG-29s, which were in the process of being retired by the Russian Aerospace Forces.
Images used for illustrative purposes only.
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