Maghreb Edition

Fifth gen. Russian stealth fighters in the Southern Mediterranean

Posted On 2 January 2020

Number of times this article was read : 325

Algeria has concluded three contracts for the purchase of Russian fifth-generation stealth fighter Su-57 and the Su-34 and Su-35. Algeria ordered 14 aircraft for each model, thereby strengthening its military cooperation with Russia. With the acquisition of Su-57 jets, Algeria becomes Sukhoi first export customer for this flagship fifth generation combat aircraft. The decision to acquire 14 Su-57s was made last summer after the visit of an Algerian delegation to the MAKS air show in Moscow. The Algerian delegation, which was led by General Major Hamid Boumaiza, commander of the Air Force, examined in detail the fighter in question. General Boumaïza, a former MiG-29 pilot, was even one of the rare foreigners to try the Russian stealth plane on a simulator.

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The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.