North African Airpower: Algeria Secures Su-57E & Airbus C295 in $25bn Strategy

The recent acquisition by The Algerian People’s National Army Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jaza’eriya) of the Fifth-Generation Sukhoi Su-57E ‘Felon’, as reported by African Security Analysis, has drawn some attention. And not without reason.

Following years of technical refinement and protracted negotiations, a contract valued at approximately $1 billion to $2 billion was secured in 2021 for 12 to 14 airframes. By February 2026, open-source video intelligence, initially captured by civilian observers near the Oum El Bouaghi Air Base (home to the 121st Air Defence Squadron), visually confirmed the flight of the Su-57E within Algerian airspace.

Record $25bn defence budget

The Algerian Ministry of National Defence has allocated a historic $25 billion for 2026, according to The New Arab. Representing approximately 20.6% of national public expenditure, this unprecedented capital injection solidifies Algeria’s status as the leading military spender on the African continent. The allocation comfortably eclipses its North African neighbours, notably Morocco, which operates on an estimated $13.4 billion defence budget, and Tunisia, with a $1.4 billion allocation.

Strategic non-alignment: Algeria’s self-reliance doctrine

This financial dominance is rooted in a strict doctrine of self-reliance; as President Abdelmadjid Tebboune articulated in early 2026, any state seeking to “preserve its sovereignty and independence… must have a strong economy and a strong army“. This robust funding underpins a military-industrial strategy that actively balances advanced Russian combat acquisitions with reliable NATO-aligned logistical support.

Algeria’s pragmatic defence procurement strategy maintains diverse international relations while expanding its military-industrial complex, ensuring independence without foreign military bases or reliance on a single geopolitical bloc. While the nation’s aerial strike capabilities remain anchored in Russian combat platforms, its tactical airlift and utility requirements are strategically sourced through Western European channels.

This diplomatic firewall is explicitly evidenced by the recent €385.2 million contract with Madrid for Airbus C295 military transport aircraft. Capable of operating from unprepared desert airstrips to support rapid troop deployment and medical evacuation, the C295 acquisition demonstrates that Algiers prioritises logistical and operational readiness over any one specific bilateral relationship.

Fifth-generation strike power: Integrating the Su-57E ‘Felon

The combat nucleus of this comprehensive modernisation rests on integrating the fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57E ‘Felon’, bringing advanced low-observability stealth, integrated sensor fusion, and supercruise capabilities to the skies over North Africa. This technological leap aligns with the operational mandate outlined by Major General Zoubir Ghouila, Commander of the Algerian Air Force, who recently emphasised the absolute necessity of “reinforcing its fleet with more efficient aircraft and equipment to keep pace with technological progress“.

To mitigate operational vulnerabilities arising from production bottlenecks at Russia’s KnAAZ manufacturing facility, the Algerian Air Force has implemented a bridging solution with the Su-35S ‘Flanker-E‘. These supermanoeuvrable, thrust-vectoring airframes, originally manufactured for Egypt, who cancelled their deal, have been swiftly integrated into the Algerian fleet. This opportunistic acquisition provides an immediate, highly tactical upgrade while the Su-57E delivery pipeline scales up.

Algeria’s dual-sourced fleet: Insulating defence architecture

Ultimately, this simultaneous induction of fifth-generation Russian strike platforms and European tactical transports reflects a calculated strategy. By systematically insulating its defence architecture from reliance on any single manufacturer or geopolitical bloc, Algeria safeguards its autonomy whilst also ensuring its operational capabilities remain at the forefront of global technological advancement.