With the recent publication of multimedia material on social media, new indications have emerged that would confirm Russia has already delivered the first Su-57E stealth fighters to the Algerian Air Force, which is shaping up as the platform’s first international customer. It is a brief video of around twenty-two seconds in length in which at least two of these combat aircraft can be seen flying in daylight, and although it is not possible to clearly identify what markings they bear, both the accompanying description and a short text inserted over the images indicate that it was captured in the African country.
If the authenticity of the footage is verified, it would reinforce what was reported last February, when another video of a Su-57E in flight was also published, reportedly captured by local Algerian observers. In particular, this development came just days after the United States threatened sanctions in the event that Algeria ultimately moved forward with the incorporation of the aforementioned aircraft, within the framework of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Recalling some of the statements made in this regard by Robert Palladino, head of the Office of Near Eastern Affairs: “We work closely with the Algerian government on issues where we have common ground. But we certainly disagree on many issues, and the arms deal is an example of what the United States considers problematic. We use the diplomatic tools we have, often privately, to protect our interests and stop what we consider unacceptable.”
It is worth recalling at this point that concerns in Washington became known shortly after the Algerian Air Force revealed that it was expecting to add around twelve Russian-made Su-57E stealth fighters, seeking with this to make a significant qualitative leap in modernizing its current combat capabilities and to set itself apart from other neighboring nations in North Africa. In addition to the arrival of those aircraft, the country is also on track to add new Su-35S fighters and Su-34 fighter-bombers to reinforce its fleets, thus shaping a broad range of complementary capabilities hand in hand with Moscow.
Along those lines, it is also noteworthy for Russia that it managed to position the aforementioned stealth platform as the winner of the Algerian selection process over the U.S.-made F-35, representing a first step toward consolidating aircraft produced by United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) as an alternative on the international market for those countries geopolitically distanced from Washington. So far, the only remaining option in the field of fifth-generation aircraft beyond these two nations lies in China, with its J-20 and J-35 models.
Images used for illustrative purposes
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