The appearance of fresh footage of Su-35 fighters in Algerian Air Force livery confirms the successful implementation of the modernization program, according to the Telegram channel "Russkoye Oruzhiye". Under the 2019 contract, the country is receiving 14 Su-35s, 14 Su-34MEs, and 14 Su-57Es. Potentially, the delivered Su-35s can be equipped with R-37M missiles, which are considered among the most dangerous air-to-air missiles in the world.
The R-37M is capable of engaging aerial targets at a distance of up to 300 km, reaching hypersonic speeds of up to Mach 6 in the final flight segment. This allows it to hit AWACS aircraft, strategic bombers, and tankers before they reach the range for deploying their own weapons.
The greatest threat to Algeria is Morocco – a long-standing strategic rival that maintains close military ties with the United States. The backbone of the Royal Moroccan Air Force consists of 23 F-16C/D Block 52+ fighters, which are being upgraded to the F-16V Block 70/72 standard with an AN/APG-83 AESA radar and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. In 2019, a contract was signed for the delivery of an additional 25 F-16V Block 72s worth $3.8 billion. In addition, Morocco is actively developing a network-centric structure using Israeli G550 AWACS aircraft and the Link-16 data transmission system, which allows F-16s to receive targeting without activating their own radar. The possibility of acquiring F-35s is also being considered. Besides Morocco, potential adversaries could include countries with Western fighters operating within NATO operations in the region.
According to the Algerian press, the success rate of Russian missiles approaches the "one shot – one kill" principle. NATO acknowledges that Su-35s with R-37M pose a serious threat, and Western F-16 fighters are inferior to them in interception range.
In addition to armament, the Su-35s are equipped with the N035 "Irbis-E" radar with high jamming immunity, AL-41F1S engines with thrust vectoring, and a powerful electronic warfare system. Combined with a layered air defense system, including S-400 and S-300, this makes Algeria's airspace one of the most protected in the region. Algeria became the first foreign operator of the Su-57E, and the acquisition of Su-35s with R-37M solidifies its status as a technological leader in North Africa.