As reported by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) on April 8, 2025, Algeria has begun operating the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35 fighter aircraft, with satellite imagery captured on 10 March 2025 confirming the presence of one such aircraft at Ain Beida/Oum el Bouaghi Air Base in northeastern Algeria, a fact that we had already reported. The aircraft bears Algerian roundels on the upper port wing.
This development follows earlier imagery, dated 2 March 2025, from Komsomolsk-on-Amur, showing a Russian Air Force Antonov An-124 transport aircraft preparing to load what appears to be a Flanker-series fuselage painted in a scheme consistent with the Egyptian order. The aircraft subsequently departed the site, and the same Condor was observed at Ain Beida on 5 March 2025. Additional imagery indicates that at least four more Su-35s, originally built for Egypt, have since been repainted with Algerian roundels.
These aircraft were produced at the Yuri Gagarin Komsomolsk-on-Amur facility under a 2018 order from Egypt. In 2019, the United States warned that the sale would trigger sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. Despite these warnings, production continued through 2021, with at least 12 aircraft observed on the hardstand. By 2022, the order appeared to be complete, but no deliveries took place. Egypt later withdrew from the deal under political and economic pressure. There were discussions about transferring these aircraft to Iran, but those did not initially materialize. Tehran reportedly prioritized air defense systems over additional fighter jets. Iran eventually confirmed the purchase of Su-35s in January 2025 to replace aging U.S.-made F-14 Tomcats and F-4 Phantoms, although only two deliveries of Su-35SEs have been previously reported by Army Recognition and not verified by imagery.
In Algeria, official channels have not confirmed the Su-35 acquisition. No statements have been issued by Algeria’s Ministry of National Defense or Russia’s Rosoboronexport. However, multiple sources, including satellite imagery and open-source reports, indicate that Algeria is now operating Su-35s from Ain Beida. According to reports dated 13 and 14 March 2025, the Algerian Air Force has initiated flight operations with the aircraft. It is estimated that Algeria may have received 14 of the 28 Su-35s originally produced for Egypt. Some reports suggest the aircraft may have been leased to Algeria as a stopgap measure pending delivery of the Su-57 Felon, which was confirmed by Algerian state media in February 2025.
These Su-35s were produced at the Yuri Gagarin Komsomolsk-on-Amur facility under a 2018 order from Egypt, but the country later withdrew from the deal. (Picture source: RussianPlanes.net/VVN)