Русский
Russian fifth-generation Su-57 fighters are being supplied to Algeria, the Algerian state TV has announced, and added that Algerian pilots have already begun training in Russia.
The arms trade allows Russia to further develop and continue to conduct further sales in North Africa. Igor Malikov, an Honored Test Pilot and Hero of Russia was quoted as saying “We are currently maintaining contacts with North Africa, and countries in the region have previously purchased our equipment, we do not stop our cooperation. The Su-57 is one of the most advanced aircraft in the world. It has many new systems, including weapons. In particular, its missiles allow it to destroy targets at a distance that is inaccessible to other existing imported and domestic aircraft. This is a delicate political issue. For example, we used to sell weapons to Finland, but now it is in NATO, and of course we will not transfer anything there anymore. But I think that countries that are well-disposed towards us will have the opportunity to buy these aircraft.”
Algeria and Russia have a long history in military aircraft sales. After Algeria gained independence from France in the late 1950s, the process of forming the Air Force of the new army began. The country received its first Soviet MiG-15 fighters from Egypt in 1962. At the same time, the USSR delivered multi-purpose Mi-4 helicopters. This was the period of formation and training of pilots of the young Algerian Air Force. Pilots were trained both in neighbouring Arab countries and in the USSR, and that relationship has continued.
Algeria’s purchases of the Su-57 are their first export, and it is assumed that Algeria will receive at least 1-2 squadrons, meaning a total of 12 to 24 aircraft. It is highly likely that the export of Su-57s will lead to the expansion of their serial production, and also to continue providing upgrades, with numerous other countries also in the market to acquire such aircraft.
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