Algeria Air Force - Su-30 Flanker

Algerian Su-30MKA are generally based on Indian Su-30MKI (not Malaysian Su-30MKM!), but don’t have Israelian avionics, replaced by Russian and French (Thales, Damocles, Navflir). They have a thrust vectoring engines Saturn AL-31FP. The Su-30MKA is equipped with the advanced N011M BARS pulse Doppler passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radar, and has a Russian MAW-300 missile approach warning sensor (MAWS), RWS-50 RWR and optical-location system (OLS). Further details of the Su-30MKA’s avionics suite have not been revealed, though the aircraft is believed to be extremely similar to the Su-30MKM built for the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

Su-30MKA

The Algerian Air Force received the last batch of six Sukhoi Su-30MKA combat aircraft from Russia's Irkut Corporation in September 2009. The aircraft were part of the $7.5bn arms deal signed by Algeria with Russia in 2006 for 28 MiG-29SMTs, 6 MiG-29UBT trainers and 28 Su-30MKA multirole fighters. Algeria also retained options on up to 30 more MiG-29s. The combined value of the MiG-29 and Su-30 acquisitions was estimated at about $2.8bn. Algeria had another option for sixteen Su-30MKA aircraft (replacing the refused 34 MiG-29SMT). The Algerian Air Force had 44 Su-30MKAs in service as of January 2014.

Russia and Algeria have signed contract details for 14 Sukhoi Su-30MKA (NATO reporting name: Flanker) multirole fighters, Rostec state corporation Director General Sergey Chemezov said on 11 September 2015. "The contract has been signed. Fourteen planes will be delivered to Algeria in 2016-17," he said on a visit to Irkutsk Aircraft Plant in Siberia. Forty-four aircraft of the same type had already been received by the North African state, he said.

Russia's Irkut aircraft manufacturer would finish the deliveries of 14 Sukhoi Su-30MKA multirole fighters to Algeria in 2017, Irkut said in an annual report on 04 July 2016. On September 11, Russian state technologies corporation Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov said that Moscow would supply Algeria with 14 jets. "The deliveries of Su-30MK aircraft to the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria are planned for a period of 2016-2017," the report said.

Su-32 / Su-34

In 2015, "Rosoboronexport" initiated the preparation of the export version of the Su-34. In December 2015, Algeria ordered 12 Su-32 bombers. According to Sergei Smirnov, director of the Novosibirsk-based Chkalov Aircraft Plant, talks about a possible deal with Algeria have been dragging on for eight years. The bomber’s successful performance in Syria had given a new impetus to the negotiations. The first squadron of Su-32s would cost the Algerian military in the range of $500-600 million. A future purchase of a further 6-12 aircraft is possible.

By March 2016 Russia and Algeria were expected to sign an agreement for 12 Su-34 fighter-bombers by the end of 2016. At that time, contracts on the deal were waiting on approval of export licenses. Negotiations on the deal were opened in November 2015, and could also be extended to a larger purchase of up to 40 of the aircraft. When the deal was confirmed, it would make Algeria Sukhoi's best customer in the region following the September 2015 order of 14 Su-30 fighters. The North African staten already operated 44 Su-30 aircraft.

Business daily Kommersant reported 01 April 2016 that after the campaign began, in December 2015 Algeria requested 12 Su-32 bombers (export version of the Su-34). According to the director of the Chkalov Novosibirsk Aircraft Plant Sergey Smirnov, the negotiations had been going on for eight years, but developed slowly. The first squadron of the Su-32 will cost the Algerian military at least $500-600 million, and in the future it can not be excluded that Algeria would execise an option to purchase another 6-12 machines.

In 2016 it was expected to be signed the contract with Algeria for the supply of bombers. Negotiations on this issue are already and are in an advanced stage, the contract was not signed by mid-2016. The Algerian side had long wanted the Su-34, but earlier this machine had no export version. Now it does, and the contract was expected to be signed betewen the middle of 2016 or until the end of the year.

Su-35S

In 2015, talks concerning the acquisition of at least 10 Su-35S fighters are expected to begin. A firm contract for this amount of aircraft was estimated to be at about $850-900 million.

In early 2016 Algeria requested one Su-35S for testing at the Tamanrasset site to check the handling characteristics of the machine, the possibility of radar equipment and weapons. The Algerian pilots tried out a sample and made a pre-contract, and were expected to start negotiations on the purchase of not less than ten of these fighters. Solid contract for a number of aircraft was valued at approximately $ 850-900 million.