In 2016, Sergei Smirnov, the director general of the “factory of the Aeronautical Production Association of Novossibirsk” [NAPO]a subsidiary of the manufacturer Sukhoï, said that Algeria intended to command fourteen new Tactical Bombardiers su-34 “Fullback” with Russia and to modernize part of its Su-24 attack planes “Fencer”.
What the Algerian authorities were careful not to confirm, as was the case when, three later, Russian industrial sources mentioned an order of 14 Multi-35 Multi-35 “Flanker e” placed by Algiers.
The latter finally materialized, an SU-35 having been spotted while flying over the region of Oum El Bouaghi, last March. By the way, the apparatus in question bore the same delivered as the SU-35 that Egypt had ordered a few years earlier, before changing its mind in order to be spared from possible American sanctions.
In recent times, it has also been advanced that Algeria was planning to obtain a lot of fourteen 5th generation Su-57e Felon.
This rumor had elsewhere resumed vigor when Aleksandr Mikheyev, the director of Rosoboronexport, the agency responsible for exporting Russian military equipment, indicated that this device had just been the subject of its first export order, signed by a “mystery customer”. And it was further increased when a Russian delegation of “high rank” went to Algiers to, according to the Telegram Canal “Russian Arms”, conclude “military-technical cooperation and finalize the command of su-57”.
For the moment, the Algerian government has not officially confirmed the purchase of SU-57 … Unless it has done so through Algerian state television, which actually talked about an initial command of six aircraft, the first two to be delivered in 2025. And to add that eight others could be purchased later.
As for the order of fourteen su-34 “fullback” mentioned by the Russian official almost ten years ago, she would be about to be honored. This is indeed what photographs suggest which, taken at Joukovski airport, in the vicinity of Moscow, show a device of this type sporting a livery which is not in force within the Russian aerospace forces.
🇩🇿 The Algerian Air Force’s Su-34 fighter-bomber is currently undergoing test flights in Russia ahead of its scheduled delivery.
This marks a significant step in Algeria’s efforts to enhance its long-range strike capabilities.#Algeria #Su34 #MilitaryAviation #DefenseNews… pic.twitter.com/Kult6M2wUI
— Global Defense Insight (@Defense_Talks) August 7, 2025
This is not the first time that a SU-34 flying in an unusual livery has been photographed: this was the case last May, in the Novossibirsk region, near the factory which assembles this type of plane.
Sukhoi Su-34 in desert camouflage seen in Russia
A large batch is reportedly being prepared for delivery to an African country pic.twitter.com/2BYHx5I7ox
— MenchOsint (@MenchOsint) May 18, 2025
Given its camouflage in desert tones, it can be assumed that this “fullback” su-34 is intended for a country in Africa or the Middle East, like Iran. But, to date, Algeria is the only one that has been cited to become its first customer.
As a reminder, having a long radius of action [4 000 km]the SU-34 “Fullback” was developed from the SU-27IB, designed in the early 1999s. Implemented by two aviators seated side by side in the cockpit, this birder is nicknamed the “flying tank”, because of its mass [45,1 tonnes, charges utiles comprises]of its 17 mm shield and its ability to take more than 8 tonnes of ammunition [bombes, missiles air-sol et air-air].
In addition, the SU-34 has a field tracking radar, a laser guidance and designation system and electronic countermeasures. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russian aerospace forces have lost at least thirty-eight exemplary. This would explain why the Algerian command, if it is actually confirmed, took as long to materialize.
Photo: Su-34 Fullback of Russian aerospace forces