The mystery surrounding the first international buyer of the export version of the Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter, which is in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces, appears to have been solved. A recent report aired by Algeria’s state television confirms that the North African country has officially acquired Russia’s new fifth-generation aircraft. This information follows various statements made by Rosoboronexport officials at the end of 2024 and during the Aero India International Fair, which has been taking place in the Asian country since Monday, February 14.
As previously reported on multiple occasions, in recent months and years, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), along with the state agency Rosoboronexport, has been pushing an international promotional campaign for the Sukhoi Su-57, Russia’s most advanced fighter jet. This effort led to the aircraft being showcased at the Zhuhai Air Show in November last year and, more recently, at Aero India 2025.
These events have been used by Russian officials to provide updates on the most advanced Russian fighter jet to emerge from the production lines of the Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant. During last year’s air festival in China, Rosoboronexport announced that they had secured the first sales contract for the export version of the Felon (the NATO designation for the Su-57). More recently, at Aero India, they went a step further by stating that the first deliveries to this inaugural customer would take place within the current year.
Since these statements were made in November 2024, there has been widespread speculation about the identity of this mysterious first customer, with theories pointing to countries in the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa. The latter now appears to be the region from which the mystery has been unveiled.
Today, Algeria’s state television announced that the country is the first international customer of the export version of the Su-57, officially designated as the Su-57E. It was also reported that the first groups of pilots are already in Russia undergoing training and courses for the fifth-generation aircraft. However, the report, which has gone viral in recent hours, does not specify the number of units acquired by the African nation.
Beyond the total number of aircraft to be incorporated—speculated to be an initial batch of six units—and the doubts surrounding Russia’s industrial capacity to meet the demand from potential export customers, the introduction of the Su-57E represents a significant leap in capability for the Algerian Air Force.
Currently, due to its historical ties with Russia, the backbone of Algeria’s combat aviation consists of 63 Su-30MKA and 40 MiG-29S/M/M2 fighters. The fleet also includes Su-24MK2 reconnaissance and attack aircraft, as well as Yak-130 advanced trainers, which will play an important role in the future integration of the Su-57E.
At the regional level in North Africa, this acquisition serves as a warning to Algeria’s neighbors, such as Morocco, with whom it maintains significant territorial disputes over Western Sahara. The purchase of Russian fifth-generation fighters can also be seen as a response to Morocco’s ongoing Air Force modernization plans, which include upgrading its F-16s to the Block 70 standard, along with other re-equipment programs primarily supplied by the United States.
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