Russia plans to deliver its first export Su-57E stealth fighter in 2025, likely to Algeria. This move is intensifying regional arms competition with Morocco.
On the sidelines of the MILEX international arms and military hardware show, which kicked off this week in Minsk, the press office of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said the Sukhoi Su-57E, the export model of Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, will begin operations.
“The first foreign customer of the Su-57E will start operating the aircraft already in 2025,” the defense agency said in a statement to state news agency TASS.
Russia’s state-owned Rosoboronexport has presented the Su-57 at numerous air shows and military exhibitions over the past year, with demonstrations in Egypt, China, India, and the Middle East.
The fighter is also expected to appear in Malaysia’s 17th edition of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition. Russia has touted its features at every exhibition and has routinely been a crowd pleaser with its aerial maneuvers.
Russia Hypes the Release of the Su-57E to Combat
There is no denying that the aircraft has generated a lot of buzz over the years. The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and Rosoboronexport have offered no shortage of hyperbole about the fighter, often re-shared by state media.
“The Su-57 is the world’s sole fifth-generation fighter that has proven its ability to efficiently counter Western-made air defense systems in a real combat environment. The fighter can employ a wide range of high-precision guided weapons and features a low radar signature,” TASS further reported.
Yet, as has been reported in the past, the sales have largely not materialized. This month, only Algeria has concluded a deal for the Su-57. When the deal was “officially” announced following the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition last November, it was hardly earth-shattering news.
Since 2020, there has been speculation that the North African nation, which retains close ties with Moscow, has sought to adopt the fighter. The question remains whether Algiers can afford the pricey aircraft.
Yet, the “huge reveal” following the Chinese air show may have simply been an attempt by Rosoboronexport to do damage control after the aircraft was widely mocked on Chinese social media and unfavorably compared with the Chinese-made Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon.
In February, UAC attempted a “do-over” by presenting the Su-57 at Aero India 2025, where it likely hoped to entice New Delhi to either purchase the Russian-made fighter or enter into a co-production deal. Neither happened, and instead, it was again announced that a foreign buyer had been officially named.
It was still just Algeria.
The Su-57E’s Role in Algeria and Morocco’s Arms Race
The Algerian Air Force has long relied on Soviet/Russian military aircraft. Its fleet includes a mix of Mikoyan MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-30MKA fighters and even older Sukhoi Su-24 tactical bombers.
Since 2020, Algiers has been focused on significantly modernizing its military, notably its air force. The efforts come from neighbor and regional rival Morocco, which has also undertaken a modernization campaign that included the acquisition of F-16C/D Fighting Falcon Block 72 fighters from the United States in 2019.
Reports also circulated in November of last year that Morocco could be on track to become the first Arab and African nation to acquire the US-made Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.
Rabat had previously expressed interest in the fifth-generation stealth fighter, but it may push harder to develop it if Algeria obtains the Su-57.
To date, no Sukhoi Su-57 has arrived in Algeria, but in March, Algiers did receive the first of two dozen Sukhoi Su-35 multirole fighters that are part of a deal concluded last year. The aircraft arrived at Oum el Bouaghi Air Base, Oum el Bouaghi Province, on March 13.
Algeria is now just the third foreign operator of the Su-35 after China and Iran, and could be the first foreign operator of the Su-57 as early as the end of this year. Russia has repeated this enough that it almost sounds believable.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Andrey 69.
