(DZ) Sukhoi Su-57E Felon: North Africa's apex predator

Balta779517-live · September 5, 2026, 1:38pm

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Su-57E

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Suggestion made with help from @PiatkaRubl

Aircraft info:

Spoiler

The Sukhoi Su-57E is a 5th generation multirole fighter export fighter made by the United aircraft corporation, and is capable of performing a wide range of missions against air, ground and naval targets around the clock, all weather conditions and EW saturated environments.

Featuring an advanced onboard electronics suite with an AESA radar, advanced EW kit, an electro optical suite and advanced sensor fusion. While also being a stealth fighter designed with a low radar cross section, while having access to the most modern weaponry in both A-A and A-G class.

With Algeria being the first customer of the Su-57E in 2025/2026 marking them as the first operator of a 5th generation in Africa.

Aircraft history:

Spoiler

The Su-57E recently entered the spotlight after Algeria became the first confirmed foreign operator of the aircraft. For years, rumors regarding a possible Algerian acquisition circulated online, however these reports became much more credible once Russian state media, Rosoboronexport and other Russian defense-related sources began discussing export deliveries openly.

The acquisition itself is particularly important for the Algerian Air Force, as the Su-57E represents the most advanced combat aircraft ever acquired by Algeria and the first fifth-generation fighter to enter service on the African continent and in the islamic world.

The origins of the SU-57E

The aircraft that would eventually become the Su-57 originated from Russia’s PAK FA program, intended to develop a new-generation multirole fighter capable of replacing older aircraft such as the Su-27 and MiG-29 families in Russian service.

Development work was led primarily by Sukhoi, with the first prototype, designated T-50, conducting its maiden flight on January 29th, 2010.

From the beginning, the aircraft was designed around several major requirements: Reduced radar visibility, supermaneuverability, internal weapons carriage, high-speed performance, advanced sensor integration, and multirole capability.

After several years of testing and prototype refinement, serial production aircraft began entering Russian Aerospace Forces service during the early 2020s.

Algerian Acquisition

Algeria’s interest in the Su-57 reportedly began during the late 2010s. Multiple Russian media outlets claimed that Algeria had become the first foreign customer for the export variant of the aircraft, designated Su-57E.

In 2019, TASS reported statements from Rosoboronexport officials confirming that the first export contract for the Su-57E had already been signed, although the customer was not officially named at the time.

Over the following years, Algeria continued to appear consistently in Russian reporting connected to the aircraft, and by 2025, Russian defense media and international reporting stated that Algeria would begin receiving aircraft deliveries, making it the first export operator of the Su-57 platform.

Later footage circulating online in early 2026 showed Algerian-operated Su-57Es during flight operations.

Aircraft specifications:

Spoiler

Dimensions and size:

Lenght: 20,1m
Wing span: 14,1m
Wing area: 78,8m²
Height: 4,6m

Weight:

Standard take off weight: 26700kg
Maximum take off weight: 34000kg

Engine output and flight performance:

Top speed near ground: 1350km/h
Top speed at altitude: Mach 2
Service ceilling: 18000m
Engines: AL-41F1 2x
Engine output: 14500 kgf 2x (bench thrust)
Max dry thrust output: 8800 Kgf 2x (Bench thrust)

Onboard avioncs and other equipment:

N036 AESA Radar suite

N036-1-01 Frontal main AESA radar
N036B-1-01 Cheek mounted AESA radars for additional coverage
N036L-1-01 slat mounted AESA elements for IFF
N036Kh: rear facing AESA radar for awareness & jamming

101KS Atoll electro-optical suite

101KS-O A DIRCM
101KS-V IRST
101KS-U MAWS
101KS-P Infrared low flying-landing navigation sensor
101KS-N Targeting Pod

L402 Himalayas EW Suite

The L402 Himalayas is the name given to the electronic warfare suite onboard of the Su-57E developed by the Kaluzhsky Scientific Research Radio-Technical Institute (KNIRTI). Primarily using its N036 radar arrays and its own arrays to detect, jam and defeat Radiofrequency (RF)-based systems.

Illustration showing placement of components of the N036 radar suite, 101KS Atoll electro-optical suite and L402 Himalayas EW Suite:

reference picture is from a T-50 prototype since no close up pictures are available of the Su-57E yet.

Armament:

Spoiler

Main armament:

GSH-30-1
12 total hardpoints
6 Internal hardpoints
6 External hardpoints

Additional equipment that can be mounted:

101KS-N Targeting Pod

Internal weapons bay

The Su-57E features 6 hardpoints mounted inside 4 different internal weapon bays, with 2 being the main weapons bay found between the intake and engines offering 4 hardpoints for weapons in total. Alongside that it features 2 smaller internal weapons bay near the wings intended for smaller weapons, these weapons bay each has only 1 hardpoint inside each.

Air to air missiles:

4x RVV-SDM
2x RVV-MD2

Air to ground missile:

4x Kh-38MLE/MTE
4x Kh-36 Grom-E1
4x Kh-69

Anti radiation missile:

4x Kh-58UShKE

Guided bombs:

4x KAB-250
4x Kh-36 Grom-E2

External weapon mounts

In addition to the internal weapons bay mentioned above the Su-57E also has accses to utilize external hardpoints for weapon mounts with 1 mounted under each intake and 2 under each wing.

Air to air missiles: