Algerian Air Force
Algerian Air Force Lockheed C-130H Hercules (7T-WHT) at RAF Waddington in 2012. Photo: Aeroprints.com
Text: Petr Uzsák
Algeria is a country located in the northern part of the African continent, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, and by size it is the largest country in Africa. To the east it borders Tunisia and Libya, to the south and southwest Niger, Mali, and Mauritania, and to the west Western Sahara and Morocco. In the past it was part of the French colonial empire; since 1962 it has been an independent state. It is a traditional ally of China and Russia in the region, yet Algeria consistently insists on maintaining an independent foreign policy orientation. For example, it does not permit the establishment of foreign military bases on its territory.
Thanks to its mineral wealth and exports, the national economy enjoys substantial revenues. The country possesses significant reserves of oil and natural gas, as well as deposits of various metals and phosphates. The textile and food industries are also important. Tourism is limited due to a demanding visa process and underdeveloped tourist infrastructure. On the other hand, the country continues to face socio-economic challenges, such as youth unemployment, which also contributes to outward migration.
The history of the Algerian Air Force began even before independence was declared. Pilot training started as early as 1957 in Syria, and additional personnel were later sent for study to Egypt, Iraq, China, and the Soviet Union. The air force was officially established in 1959, during the height of the struggle against French colonial forces. The first aircraft arrived in 1962 from Egypt, forming the material foundation of this branch of the armed forces.
At present, Algeria militarily dominates the North African region, with approximately 620 aircraft in service. This places it 24th in the global ranking of air forces. Its main striking power consists of Russian multirole aircraft Sukhoi Su-30MKA, Su-35, and MiG-29 in various versions, together with Su-24M bombers. In terms of specific numbers, 35 MiGs and 33 Su-24M bombers are available. There are 63 Su-30MKA combat aircraft, plus another nine ordered, while 15 more modern Su-35s are expected, although it is unclear whether all have already been delivered. Training is currently underway on these aircraft prior to achieving operational status.
Algerian Air Force Su-34 fighter-bomber. Photo: Baracho Didi
Incidentally, an unpleasant affair was associated with the delivery of MiG-29SMT (factory type 9.19) aircraft, which briefly strained relations with Russia. After delivery, the Algerians discovered that the airframes were not newly manufactured but older, previously used aircraft merely modified to the new version. The aircraft were immediately returned to the supplier, and following negotiations the Russian side offered Su-30MKA aircraft at a discounted price as compensation. However, even the Sukhois may not be the optimal choice, as Egypt previously refused to purchase Su-35s due to issues with engine consumption, significant thermal signature, and an outdated radar. Algeria subsequently took over these rejected aircraft. Given the confirmed losses of Su-30/34/35 series aircraft in Ukraine, reportedly reaching 67 planes, it can not be assumed that Algerian pilots would fare significantly better in combat.
The Algerian training fleet consists of several types. Basic training is conducted on the Czech propeller-driven Zlín Z-142, while advanced and weapons training takes place on Czech jet aircraft Aero L-39 Albatros in C or ZA versions, together with the Russian Yakovlev Yak-130 (16 units). There are 43 Albatros aircraft in total, of which 36 are ZA light attack variants and the remaining seven are C-version trainers. These jet aircraft can also be used on a limited scale for strike missions against ground targets, but only in areas with neutralized enemy air defenses and with a limited range of munitions.
The helicopter force represents a significant component of the inventory and provides comprehensive support for both ground and air operations. It is equipped with Mi-24 combat helicopters (32 units) and 42 Mi-28s. These are complemented by transport, liaison, and rescue types such as the Mi-2, Mi-8/17/171, Mi-26, AS355, and Ka-27.
Algerian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MK at Irkutsk-2 Air Base, Russia. Photo: Alexey Korshunov
Algerian Air Force Safir 142 (7T-VFB), a licence-built Czech Zlín 142, photographed in South Africa in 2000. Photo: Bob Adams
Algerian Air Force Ilyushin Il-76TD (7T-WIP), photographed in 2021. Photo: Anna Zvereva
It is also important to mention liaison, transport, and special-purpose aircraft, as they support combat operations as well. Among transport aircraft, the proven Lockheed C-130 stands out, with 18 planes available, along with the newer Airbus C-295 (5 planes) and the Il-76, of which there are eleven ships. A key component consists of Il-78 aerial refueling tankers, with 5–6 aircraft available to the Algerian Air Force. Additional smaller liaison and transport types are also in service. For electronic support of combat missions, nine Beechcraft Twin Bonanza turboprop aircraft are available, capable of conducting electronic reconnaissance and jamming.
Unmanned aerial vehicles must not be overlooked either. The Algerian Air Force operates Chinese-origin systems (Wing Loong II, Rainbow, WJ-700) as well as South African Seeker drones. Domestic UAV production is represented by the Yabhon Flash and United types.
Among the new acquisitions of the air force are some of the flagship products of current Russian aircraft manufacturing. First to be mentioned is the well-known Su-34E bomber, with 14 planes reportedly scheduled for delivery. Another type is the even more prominent Su-57E, a 5th generation combat aircraft widely discussed for many reasons. The first two units are said to have already been delivered. However, numerous questions surround both types, foremost whether the Russian industry is capable of delivering them at all given ongoing technological and production difficulties. Furthermore, the Su-57 stealth aircraft is hampered by technological immaturity, limited access to necessary technologies for final refinement, and the absence of a fully developed engine. Another unknown is the level of manufacturer support after delivery and the user’s ability to provide the required conditions for operational deployment.
All these factors are critical for introducing and operating such a complex system, and without them its practical use is difficult to assess. Media statements such as “two delivered aircraft have been assigned to combat service” should therefore be treated with considerable caution. Testing operations and training personnel to the required operational level alone will take many months, assuming trouble-free operation of the new aircraft.
It also remains unclear why Algeria opted for the Su-57 if its development is not yet fully mature. This may be due to pressure or a favorable offer from the Russian Federation, as well as a reaction to the armament of neighboring Morocco, whoch intends to order 32 Lockheed Martin F-35A aircraft, with delivery likely in the middle of the next decade. Prestige among neighboring states may also play a role. Algeria evidently does not wish to lag behind and aspires to become the first full-fledged operator of stealth aircraft on the continent and in the Arab world, while Morocco would become the first African operator of the F-35.
Su-30 aerial refuelling demonstration during a public event in November 2024. Photo: Twitter mdnGovDz
Algerian Air Force Mil Mi-28 attack helicopter. Photo: Ashraf216
On the other hand, export success would also bring credibility to the manufacturer when offering the aircraft to other customers. One such potential partner was India, which even sought to participate in development and production. However, it later withdrew due to disagreements over access to source codes for avionics and weapons systems, financial participation, engine issues, and unconvincing stealth characteristics. In general, without significant combat success of this type in the Russo-Ukrainian war, further export achievements appear unlikely.
The Sukhoi design bureau, and Russia more broadly, have already experienced embarrassment with the SSJ-100 Superjet transport aircraft, which entered service amid high expectations only for its shortcomings to emerge a few years later, leading to its return to the manufacturer. One of the companies affected in this way was Mexico’s Interjet, prior to its collapse.
With regard to the operational use of air power, several important factors influencing the security environment must be noted. These include terrorist groups in the Saharan region, such as Islamist militias linked to Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State. They operate mainly in southern border regions, maintaining bases in neighboring countries. Another important factor is the tense situation with neighboring Morocco and Tunisia. For these reasons, the Algerian Air Force requires multirole aircraft capable of covering a wide range of missions in line with current operational demands.
One generally little-known fact is the long-standing connection between the Algerian Air Force and the Czechoslovak, and later Czech, defense industry. Immediately after independence, MiG-15bis fighter aircraft and UTI MiG-15 trainers were obtained from Egypt, and these machines were most likely of Czechoslovak origin. Likewise, the Helwan Gomhouria training and liaison aircraft, originally the German Bücker 181, was also produced in Czechoslovakia after the war and sold to Egypt. In Algeria today, licensed production of Zlín training and sport aircraft is underway, specifically the two-seat Z-142 (Safir-142) and the four-seat Z-43 (Safir-43), used for training and liaison purposes. Furthermore, the air force operates Aero L-39 Albatros jet trainers, as mentioned above. In the future, the sale of new Aero L-39NG Skyfox training aircraft cannot be ruled out, as Algeria has already expressed interest. Given the long-term operation of the original L-39 fleet, generational replacement is a logical step.
Footage published in early February 2026 showing a 5th generation fighter plane Su-57 flying over Algeria, possibly near Oum El Bouaghi. The cellphone video, recorded by a shepherd, is available on the above Twitter account. Photo: Twitter OSINTWarfare
The national aviation industry as a whole is currently capable only of maintaining such complex systems in operation, while dependence on foreign technological and service support persists. Nevertheless, there are plans to gradually increase self-sufficiency in both defense and aviation production in general.
When assessing the current strength of the Algerian Air Force, it is certainly impressive in terms of number and types of equipment in service. These factors place it among the strongest air forces on the African continent. Another matter, however, is how many aircraft from the stated inventory are actually combat-ready, how well trained the personnel are, and how effectively manufacturer and supplier support functions. All of this plays a role in evaluating the capabilities of the air force as a whole.