A grainy video captured in Algeria seems to indicate an Su-57 flying overhead, following unconfirmed experiences concerning the nation changing into the kind’s first export buyer, whereas Russia lately acquired new upgraded jets.
Visuals emerged on Feb. 7, 2026, are claimed to indicate an Su-57E Felon flying in Algeria, following unconfirmed experiences concerning the nation changing into the kind’s first export buyer. The standard of the video is just too low to discern helpful particulars and insignia, nevertheless a grainy screengrab exhibits the jet’s silhouette, with the distinct howling whistle-like sound of the AL-41F1 engines within the background.
The video now spreading on social media was traced again to an Algeria-based TikTok account which initially posted it. If confirmed, the video would affirm the North African nation has turn out to be the jet’s first worldwide buyer.
Experiences from each Algerian and Russian media courting again greater than a yr claimed Algeria secured the sale of the plane, however this has by no means been confirmed by the United Plane Company (UAC) or the officers of each international locations. The UAC later confirmed a international order, with out figuring out the customer.
In the meantime, the UAC introduced on Feb. 9, 2025, on its Telegram channel the supply of a brand new batch of Su-57 fighters to the Russian Ministry of Protection (RuMoD) in what has been described as a “new technical configuration.” Russian navy aviation analyst Man Plopsky estimated the variety of plane delivered might vary from 4 to much more than six, with observers noting the plane has new self-defensive suites, together with new Missile Strategy Warning Sensors (MAWS) and Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) totally different from those beforehand put in.
Footage of one of many lately delivered Fifth Gen Su-57E Multirole Fighters of the Algerian Air Power (AAF), flying over Algeria, probably close to Oum El Bouaghi. pic.twitter.com/FCxiNAHiTo
— Army Observer (@MilitaryObs2222) February 7, 2026
Su-57 in Algeria
Algerian media experiences initially claimed in February 2025 that the nation was the Su-57’s first export buyer. These experiences adopted statements from Rosoboronexport chief Alexander Mikheev, on the Zhuhai Airshow in November 2024 and Aero India in February 2025, concerning the Felon securing a international purchaser, though he didn’t determine the nation.
Different sources had already been figuring out Algeria because the buyer since late-2024, with X posts and different experiences reiterating the declare till late-2025. Then, in November 2025, whereas reporting Russia’s participation on the Dubai Airshow, Izvestia recognized Algeria because the Su-57E’s first buyer with two airframes, and plans to increase to a full squadron of 12 items.
Algeria turns into the primary worldwide operator of the Russian Su-57.
This marks the first-ever export of Russia’s Fifth-gen stealth fighter, making Algeria the primary nation in Africa or the Arab world to subject Fifth-gen airpower. 14 new jets are set to exchange the MiG-25PD. pic.twitter.com/nzb8QRL2eb
— Netram Defence Assessment (@NetramDefence) February 7, 2026
The most recent video, in accordance with some experiences, was recorded across the Oum El Bouaghi Air Base close to Ain Beida. There was no assertion from Algerian protection authorities on the time of submitting this report.
The present Algerian Air Power (Forces Aériennes Algériennes – FAA) fleet is overwhelmingly Russian, with 35 MiG-29M/M2, 33 Su-24MK2s, 63-65 Su-30MKAs in service and 9 Su-35s and 14 Su-34s on order, in accordance with the 2026 World Air Forces report, Scramble and the Army Steadiness 2025 report by the Worldwide Institute of Strategic Research (IISS).
In accordance with TASS , #Algeria will obtain the #Su57 in 2025 ! pic.twitter.com/pynVnXjR9f
— O R C A Army 🇩🇿 (@kmldial70) Might 22, 2025
New Su-57s for Russia
As talked about within the opening, the brand new Su-57s delivered to the RuMoD confirmed a brand new modified 101KS-U MAWS, with a brand new aperture, probably to seize a further wavelength of sunshine to additional sensitize missile warning. The Heads-Up Show (HUD) seems additionally bigger and wider than the brand new one which was unveiled on the current Dubai Air Present, in accordance with Plopsky.
That exhibition additionally confirmed the plane, T-50-9, with a brand new cockpit, that includes a single widescreen instead of two Multi-Perform Shows (MFD). The UAC added in its assertion that the brand new plane even have an “up to date onboard methods and a weapon system,” and have been accepted by the “technical workers” to be put via a “full cycle of manufacturing facility assessments.”
Price including that the UAC press launch unusually notes that it delivered a “massive” batch of Su-57s (according to earlier unofficial experiences on Russian social media). As famous within the thread, that would imply 4 plane, nevertheless it might additionally imply extra (maybe six or extra). pic.twitter.com/imwVfo7HaZ
— Man Plopsky (@GuyPlopsky) February 10, 2026
“The fifth-generation aviation advanced Su-57 is the most effective plane in its class, however we aren’t resting on our laurels. The fighter has undergone an enormous evolution and continues to enhance in the present day – the capabilities of the plane’s weapons and methods are being enhanced. In the present day, this enables us to resolve an important duties, demonstrating its effectiveness and wonderful maneuverability and fight qualities,” stated UAC chief Vadim Badekha.
3/ Be aware that the lately delivered Su-57s characteristic a lot of modifications, together with a brand new head-up show (additionally beforehand proven on T-50-9 on the Dubai Airshow final yr [see insert]), formation lights (additionally beforehand seen on T-50-11), and… pic.twitter.com/J0nAgVee5G
— Man Plopsky (@GuyPlopsky) February 9, 2026
Future
The Su-57 has additionally recorded a few milestones lately, with the final being the UAC saying in December 2025 the take a look at of the brand new Izdeliye 177 (Russian for ‘Product 177’) Gen. 5 engine on airframe T-50-052. The engine is being launched to probably improve the sooner Su-57 manufacturing fashions and to supply another powerplant to worldwide customers of the Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker.
Previous to that, in the identical yr, the plane revealed its rear, entrance and facet weapons bays for the primary time. In December 2024, it was additionally noticed with one flat 2D thrust vectoring nozzle, which was put in on the T-50-2 on the port/left facet.
Curiously, an identically formed window (totally different from the “customary” 101KS-U on the final pic) was initially additionally positioned on the T-75 mock-up. Nonetheless, it’s lacking from later renders. pic.twitter.com/e9aEuYNHkt
— New Gen Fighters (@GenFighters) February 9, 2026
As we had analyzed, Russia is aggressively advertising and marketing the Su-57, in addition to different methods basically. It’s also taking a look at a potential revival of Indian curiosity within the plane.
The truth is, UAC CEO Vadim Badekha advised journalists, on the sidelines of the lately concluded Wings India airshow, about being within the “superior stage of technical negotiations” to probably collectively produce the Su-57E in India. Russia’s manufacturing accomplice has historically been the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Restricted (HAL), which already totally produces the Su-30MKI at Nashik, in western India’s Maharashtra state. There was nevertheless no remark from Indian authorities.
Su-57 ‘509’ is practising for Dubai airshow subsequent week. It’ll fly with open weapons bays, carrying anti-radiation Kh-58UShK and close-in air fight R-74M2 missiles. Su-57 will present open bays for the primary time ever, after 15 years of participation in air exhibits.Picture UAC pic.twitter.com/NKNhrE5jof
— Piotr Butowski (@piotr_butowski) November 9, 2025
India was initially a accomplice within the authentic PAK-FA program and its participation was going to fund a good portion of the event and manufacturing, till New Delhi exited this system practically a decade in the past.
[Aero India 2025] Le Su-57 en tête à tête avec le F-35, au salon aéronautique Aero India 2025.(c) Anna-New pic.twitter.com/q0LkiYAbIg
— La souris (@La_souris_DA) February 8, 2025
The urgent want for a fifth era fighter amid China’s and Pakistan’s more and more subtle arsenal and the financial, logistical advantages with native manufacturing and Switch of Know-how (ToT), may simply tip the scales within the Su-57E’s favor in India.
