Algeria’s state-run television has made a significant announcement, confirming that the North African country is the inaugural export customer for Russia’s advanced fifth-generation fighter jet, the Sukhoi Su-57 Felon, thus putting an end to months of speculation.

This pivotal confirmation follows a recent statement by ROSOBORONEXPORT Director Alexander Mikheev, who indicated that the first export customer of the Su-57E fighter jet is expected to receive and operationalize the advanced multirole aircraft within the year. Mikheev shared this information at Aero India 2025, where Russia prominently displayed its powerful Su-57 fighter.

The Algerian television report noted, “Algerian pilots are currently receiving training in Russia, and the delivery of the Su-57 fighter jet is anticipated within this year.” However, specifics regarding the quantity of Su-57s being procured by Algeria or the financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Unofficial sources suggest that Algeria may initially acquire just six Su-57 fighter jets, indicating a strategic approach where the country could deploy a small initial batch for assessment before increasing future orders.

At the Airshow China 2024 aerospace exhibition in Zhuhai, China, last November, Mikheev also revealed that Russia had finalized its first export contract for the Su-57E Felon, the export version of the fifth-generation fighter jet, although he did not reveal the identity of the first export customer. “We have signed our first contract with a foreign customer,” he stated, emphasizing the strong global interest in Russia’s fifth-generation fighter.

Algeria was widely anticipated to be the inaugural export customer for the Su-57 at the time of the announcement. The North African country has consistently ranked as one of Russia’s key arms markets in Africa, following India.

The Algerian Air Force operates a range of significant Russian-made fighter aircraft, such as the Su-30MKA, MiG-29, and Su-24. For several years, Algeria has expressed interest in the Su-57 fighter jet, with earlier reports indicating that the Algerian Air Force intended to procure as many as 14 units of this fifth-generation aircraft.

In 2020, it was reported that the Algerian government had set aside funds for the purchase of modern weaponry as part of its military modernization initiative for the 2021-2027 timeframe. The decision to acquire Su-57 fighter jets is thought to be a strategic move in response to Morocco’s acquisition of F-16 Block 70/72 fighter jets from the United States. Recent reports also indicate that Morocco, which has established strong defense relationships with the U.S. and Israel, is contemplating the purchase of Lockheed Martin’s fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets.

The Su-57E features cutting-edge avionics that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) to support the pilot, functioning effectively as a virtual co-pilot. Its radar system, the N036 Byelka, utilizes an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) design, providing enhanced detection and tracking capabilities compared to the Irbis-E radar found on the Su-35BM. The latest iteration of the Su-57 is believed to be equipped with the advanced Product 30 (Izdeliye 30) or AL-51F1 engine, which includes a flat nozzle and deflectable thrust vectoring control.

The AL-51F1 engine, designated for the second stage, is the essential element that enables the Su-57 to fulfill the requirements of Russia’s fifth-generation fighter program. These requirements encompass a range of capabilities, including multirole functionality, stealth features, exceptional maneuverability, enhanced situational awareness for pilots, a substantial payload capacity for long-range precision-guided munitions, and the ability to maintain supersonic speeds without the use of afterburners.

The achievement of the final requirement—sustained supersonic flight without afterburners—is made possible by the second-stage engine. The Su-57 fighter jet stands as a remarkable engineering accomplishment. Its capacity to achieve speeds of Mach 2 without relying on afterburners underscores its sophisticated design and state-of-the-art technology.