Reports emerged that a Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jet was spotted in Algeria, fueling speculation that the North African nation may have begun receiving these advanced aircraft.
Egyptian Su-35 Flanker-E fighters are going to Iran in March
Photo credit: Wikipedia
The sighting, noted at the Oum Bouaghi air base in northeastern Algeria, has drawn attention from military analysts and regional observers, though no official confirmation has come from either the Algerian government or Russian authorities.
The news, if verified, would mark a significant development in Algeria’s ongoing efforts to modernize its air force and could shift the balance of power in the region.
The Algerian Air Force began operating the Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jet in its first air training from the Oum Bouaghi base. 🇩🇿🦅 pic.twitter.com/CsbQMfAjOG
— Algerian star ship (@Algeristarship) March 13, 2025
The lack of clarity has left room for rumors and conjecture, with some suggesting the jets may be part of a redirected order originally intended for Egypt, while others see it as a continuation of Algeria’s deep military ties with Russia.
The initial reports stem from local sources and social media posts, including observations of heavy Russian An-124 transport planes landing in Algeria in recent weeks. These sightings have led to claims that Algeria could be taking delivery of up to 24 Su-35 jets, though the exact number remains unconfirmed.
Neither Algeria’s Ministry of National Defense nor Russia’s state arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, has issued a statement addressing the speculation. This silence aligns with Algeria’s historical tendency to keep military acquisitions discreet, a practice rooted in its strategic caution amid regional tensions, particularly with neighboring Morocco.
There are rumors that Egypt as well Indonesia have cancelled their Su-35 order. The Su-35s already manufactured for both countries will be delivered to Algeria instead!? Are these rumors true? Can anyone confirm this? 🧐🤨 pic.twitter.com/8HwI2UYlp7
— SK79 (@StefanKnippsch3) December 12, 2021
The absence of an official word has only amplified interest in what could be one of the most significant arms deals in North Africa in recent years.
Algeria’s interest in advanced Russian fighter jets is not new. Over the past decade, the country has steadily upgraded its air force, relying heavily on Moscow for equipment. In 2018, reports surfaced that Algeria was negotiating for Su-35s, potentially as part of a broader deal that also included other Russian aircraft like the Su-34 and Su-57.
That same year, Egypt reportedly backed out of a deal for Su-35s under pressure from the United States, which threatened sanctions over Cairo’s military ties with Russia. Analysts have since speculated that Russia redirected those jets to Algeria, a long-standing client with a fleet already dominated by Soviet and Russian designs, including over 70 Su-30MKA fighters.
A Russian Su-35SE Air Superiority Fighter, sporting a distinctive camouflage pattern, was spotted over Oum El Bouaghi Air Base in Algeria. While not officially confirmed, all indications suggest that Algeria has quietly begun receiving these aircraft, which were originally… pic.twitter.com/WdRzWnuGPT
— OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) March 13, 2025
General Said Chengriha, the Algerian Army Chief of Staff, was said to have overseen the early stages of aircraft acquisition talks in February 2025, according to the Italian news outlet Agenzia Nova, though details remain scarce.
The Su-35, specifically the export variant known as the Su-35E, is a cornerstone of Russia’s modern fighter jet lineup. Developed by Sukhoi, a prominent Russian aerospace firm, the aircraft is classified as a 4++ generation fighter, bridging the gap between older models and fully fifth-generation stealth jets like the Su-57.
First introduced in the early 2000s as an evolution of the Su-27 Flanker, the Su-35E boasts advanced avionics, enhanced maneuverability, and a robust weapons suite. It is powered by two Saturn AL-41F1S engines, each producing up to 31,000 pounds of thrust with afterburners, enabling a top speed of approximately Mach 2.25—around 1,500 miles per hour—at high altitudes.
Its operational range exceeds 2,200 miles with external fuel tanks, making it suitable for long-range missions across North Africa and the Mediterranean.
The aircraft’s avionics include the Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array radar, capable of detecting targets at distances up to 250 miles and tracking multiple objects simultaneously. This radar, paired with an infrared search-and-track system, allows the Su-35E to engage enemies without relying solely on radar emissions, a feature that enhances its survivability in contested airspace.
The jet’s cockpit features a digital fly-by-wire system and multifunction displays, providing pilots with real-time data on navigation, targeting, and threats. Its airframe, constructed with a mix of titanium and composite materials, supports a maximum takeoff weight of over 76,000 pounds, balancing durability with agility.
In terms of armament, the Su-35E is equipped with a 30mm GSh-30-1 cannon, delivering up to 150 rounds for close-range engagements. Its 12 external hardpoints can carry a diverse payload of up to 17,600 pounds, including air-to-air missiles like the R-77, which has a range of over 60 miles, and the shorter-range R-73 for dogfights.
For ground attacks, it can deploy KAB-500 guided bombs and Kh-29 air-to-surface missiles, alongside anti-ship options like the Kh-31. Electronic warfare capabilities are bolstered by jamming pods and countermeasures, such as flares and chaff, to evade enemy radar and missiles.
These features make the Su-35E a multirole fighter, adaptable to air superiority, ground strikes, and maritime operations—a versatility that aligns with Algeria’s strategic needs along its vast borders and Mediterranean coastline.
If Algeria has indeed acquired the Su-35E, the operational impact on its air force could be substantial, though this remains speculative without official confirmation. The Algerian Air Force currently operates a mix of aging MiG-25s and MiG-29s alongside its more modern Su-30 fleet.
Integrating the Su-35 would enhance its ability to project power and deter aerial threats, particularly given the jet’s advanced radar and long-range weaponry. Military expert John Pike of GlobalSecurity.org noted in a recent interview that “the Su-35’s combination of range, payload, and sensor technology would give Algeria a significant edge in regional air defense.”
The jet’s maneuverability, demonstrated by its thrust-vectoring engines, could also improve pilot training and combat effectiveness, assuming Algerian crews complete the necessary instruction, possibly in Russia as some reports suggest.
However, challenges could temper these gains. Transitioning to a new platform requires substantial investment in maintenance infrastructure, spare parts, and personnel training—areas where Algeria has faced hurdles in the past with its Russian-supplied fleet.
The Su-35’s complexity might strain logistics, especially if sanctions or export restrictions limit Russia’s ability to provide support. Moreover, its lack of stealth capabilities, unlike fifth-generation fighters such as the F-35, could leave it vulnerable to advanced air defense systems operated by potential adversaries.
Without official data on the number of jets or their deployment timeline, any assessment of their impact remains hypothetical, though the possibility has already sparked debate among defense circles.
From a geopolitical perspective, the rumored acquisition carries broader implications for North Africa and beyond. Algeria’s military buildup occurs against the backdrop of its rivalry with Morocco, which has pursued its own modernization with U.S.-made F-16s and potential interest in F-35s.
A report from Defence Security Asia in February 2025 indicated Morocco’s push for American stealth fighters might be a direct response to Algeria’s dealings with Russia. The two nations, divided over the Western Sahara conflict, have long engaged in an arms race, and the Su-35 could tilt the aerial balance in Algeria’s favor, at least temporarily.
France, a former colonial power with significant interests in the region, might also view this development warily, especially after a Russian Su-35 buzzed a French Reaper drone over the Mediterranean in early March 2025, as reported by Reuters.
Russia, meanwhile, stands to gain from deepening ties with Algeria, its largest African arms market. With Western sanctions limiting its export options, Moscow has leaned on traditional partners like Algiers to sustain its defense industry. The Su-35 deal, if confirmed, would join a string of recent exports, including the Su-57 to Algeria in February 2025, as reported by Military Africa.
For the United States, the prospect of Russian jets proliferating in North Africa could prompt closer cooperation with Morocco and other allies to counterbalance Algeria’s capabilities, potentially escalating regional tensions. NATO members, particularly those with Mediterranean bases, might also reassess their posture if Algeria’s air force gains a technological leap.
As of now, the story of the Su-35 in Algeria remains shrouded in uncertainty. The sightings at Oum Bouaghi and the flurry of transport flights offer tantalizing clues, but without hard evidence, they are just that—clues. Algerian state television has yet to address the rumors, and Russian officials have stayed mum, consistent with their approach to sensitive arms deals.
What is clear is that Algeria’s pursuit of advanced weaponry reflects its broader ambition to secure its airspace and assert influence in a volatile region. Whether the Su-35 becomes a cornerstone of that strategy or remains a footnote in the rumor mill will depend on the facts that emerge in the weeks ahead. For now, observers can only watch and wait as the skies over North Africa hint at changes yet to be confirmed.
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