Arab Defense website-August 11, 2025: In a remarkable field scene, a SU-35S air fighter appeared prepared for export, and it is adorned with a coating of a wicking camouflage that matches the pattern that was previously associated with the batch of the Egyptian Air Force aircraft, and the side numbering bears 9232.
The shot was taken during one of the test sorties included in the pre-processing “pre-circuit acceptance flights”, which is a decisive stage in the processing program, where the plane is subject to accurate tests that include general performance evaluation, checking the safety of aviation systems and sensors, and ensuring full operational compatibility before moving to the final user.
It was reported that last April started receiving the first Su-35 fighters in a deal that includes 24 aircraft that were originally allocated to Egypt, before the agreement was canceled against the background of technical problems in the plane, according to Egyptian defense sources.
The first indicators of the deal appeared when the Russian-made Su-35 fighter, which was previously carrying the camouflage dedicated to the Egyptian Air Force, at the Ain Al-Bayda Air Force Base in Algeria, and was replaced by the Algerian Air Force. This discovery, which came thanks to satellite images, raised a wave of questions about an armed deal that was accomplished away from the limelight.
An Algerian source confirmed that the contract to buy fighters was signed about two years ago, but it remained secreted until it was revealed through photos taken by Maxar Technologies on March 2, 2025, at least showed at least the Su-35 plane being loaded on a Russian An-124-100 transport plane at the Komsomolsk On Ameon Factory in the far east of Russian. The fighter was coated with the camouflage of the Egyptian style, while the outskirts of its wings were removed in preparation for charging it in an atmosphere, in a regular technical conduct.
Just three days later, on March 5, the fighter – believed to be itself – appeared at the Ain Al -Bayda air base, and by March 10, new photos of satellites revealed its re -out of Algerian mourns, while maintaining the original camouflage.
The data indicate that the delivery process is accelerating, as pictures taken in early April 2025 showed four additional fighters of the same model, already carrying the Algerian Air Force badges, inside the Komsomolsk On Factory, in its final stages before shipment.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) via the Military Balance Blog considered that these developments reflect the growing Algerian air capabilities in the field of Russian warplanes, recalling that Algeria is already operating the Su-30mka fighters, and in February 2025 it signed contracts to acquire the Fifth Generation Fifth Figure SU-57E, although the delivery dates are not yet decided. The institute explained that Algeria will become the first African country to have an integrated formation of Russian air superiority fighters: Su-30, Su-35, and SO-57.
However, the institute also referred to challenges facing the Su-57 production program in Russia, where the number of planes in the service of the Russian Space Air Force did not exceed 19 aircraft until the beginning of 2025, of which only 7 produced between 2023 and 2024, despite plans to raise production to 16 aircraft annually, which raises questions about Moscow’s ability to meet foreign orders, including the Algerian order.
In a parallel context, reports of late 2024 stated that some of the Su-35 fighters for Egypt, which were not delivered, were also transferred to Iran, reflecting the multiplicity of new destinations for these aircraft compared to the original delivery plans.
Despite the absence of any official confirmation from the Algerian or Russian governments regarding the Su-35 deal, the evidence provided by satellite images reveals a qualitative and quiet shift in the regional air powers balance, put Algeria in the ranks of the few countries operating this advanced fighter, after Russia and China.
The article appeared, is it for Algeria? SU-35S Air Force fighter monitoring is dedicated to export first on the Arab Defense website.
