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Algeria’s First Su-57E Reportedly Captured in Flight

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A grainy video captured in Algeria appears to show an Su-57 flying overhead, following unconfirmed reports about the country becoming the type’s first export customer, while Russia recently received new upgraded jets.

Visuals emerged on Feb. 7, 2026, are claimed to show an Su-57E Felon flying in Algeria, following unconfirmed reports about the country becoming the type’s first export customer. The quality of the video is too low to discern useful details and insignia, however a grainy screengrab shows the jet’s silhouette, with the distinct howling whistle-like sound of the AL-41F1 engines in the background.

The video now spreading on social media was traced back to an Algeria-based TikTok account which originally posted it. If confirmed, the video would confirm the North African country has become the jet’s first international customer.

Reports from both Algerian and Russian media dating back more than a year claimed Algeria secured the sale of the aircraft, but this has never been confirmed by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) or the officials of both countries. The UAC later confirmed a foreign order, without identifying the buyer.

A grainy screengrab of the footage emerged on Feb. 7, 2026, showing the Su-57 flying overhead in Algeria. (Image credit: TikTok/X)

Meanwhile, the UAC announced on Feb. 9, 2025, on its Telegram channel the delivery of a new batch of Su-57 fighters to the Russian Ministry of Defense (RuMoD) in what has been described as a “new technical configuration.” Russian military aviation analyst Guy Plopsky estimated the number of aircraft delivered could range from four to even more than six, with observers noting the aircraft has new self-defensive suites, including new Missile Approach Warning Sensors (MAWS) and Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) different from the ones previously installed. 

Su-57 in Algeria

Algerian media reports initially claimed in February 2025 that the country was the Su-57’s first export customer. These reports followed statements from Rosoboronexport chief Alexander Mikheev, at the Zhuhai Airshow in November 2024 and Aero India in February 2025, about the Felon securing a foreign buyer, although he did not identify the country.   

Other sources had already been identifying Algeria as the customer since late-2024, with X posts and other reports reiterating the claim until late-2025. Then, in November 2025, while reporting Russia’s participation at the Dubai Airshow, Izvestia identified Algeria as the Su-57E’s first customer with two airframes, and plans to expand to a full squadron of 12 units.

The latest video, according to some reports, was recorded around the Oum El Bouaghi Air Base near Ain Beida. There was no statement from Algerian defense authorities at the time of filing this report.

The current Algerian Air Force (Forces Aériennes Algériennes – FAA) fleet is overwhelmingly Russian, with 35 MiG-29M/M2, 33 Su-24MK2s, 63-65 Su-30MKAs in service and nine Su-35s and 14 Su-34s on order, according to the 2026 World Air Forces report, Scramble and the Military Balance 2025 report by the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS).

New Su-57s for Russia

As mentioned in the opening, the new Su-57s delivered to the RuMoD showed a new modified 101KS-U MAWS, with a new aperture, possibly to capture an additional wavelength of light to further sensitize missile warning. The Heads-Up Display (HUD) appears also larger and wider than the new one that was unveiled at the recent Dubai Air Show, according to Plopsky.

That exhibition also showed the aircraft, T-50-9, with a new cockpit, featuring a single widescreen in place of two Multi-Function Displays (MFD). The UAC added in its statement that the new aircraft also have an “updated onboard systems and a weapon system,” and were accepted by the “technical staff” to be put through a “full cycle of factory tests.”

“The fifth-generation aviation complex Su-57 is the best aircraft in its class, but we are not resting on our laurels. The fighter has undergone a huge evolution and continues to improve today – the capabilities of the aircraft’s weapons and systems are being enhanced. Today, this allows us to solve the most important tasks, demonstrating its effectiveness and excellent maneuverability and combat qualities,” said UAC chief Vadim Badekha.

Future

The Su-57 has also recorded a couple of milestones recently, with the last being the UAC announcing in December 2025 the test of the new Izdeliye 177 (Russian for ‘Product 177’) Gen. 5 engine on airframe T-50-052. The engine is being introduced to possibly upgrade the earlier Su-57 production models and to offer an alternative powerplant to international users of the Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker.

Prior to that, in the same year, the aircraft revealed its rear, front and side weapons bays for the first time. In December 2024, it was also spotted with one flat 2D thrust vectoring nozzle, which was installed on the T-50-2 on the port/left side.

As we had analyzed, Russia is aggressively marketing the Su-57, as well as other systems in general. It is also looking at a possible revival of Indian interest in the aircraft.

In fact, UAC CEO Vadim Badekha told journalists, on the sidelines of the recently concluded Wings India airshow, about being in the “advanced stage of technical negotiations” to possibly jointly produce the Su-57E in India. Russia’s production partner has traditionally been the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which already fully produces the Su-30MKI at Nashik, in western India’s Maharashtra state. There was however no comment from Indian authorities.

India was originally a partner in the original PAK-FA program and its participation was going to fund a significant portion of the development and manufacturing, until New Delhi exited the program nearly a decade ago.

The pressing need for a fifth generation fighter amid China’s and Pakistan’s increasingly sophisticated arsenal and the economic, logistical benefits with local manufacturing and Transfer of Technology (ToT), might just tip the scales in the Su-57E’s favor in India. 


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