Russia is reportedly producing Sukhoi Su-34M supersonic combat aircraft for Algeria, supporting earlier claims of a defense agreement between Moscow and an unnamed foreign partner. Analysis by Seoul-based Military Watch Magazine, using satellite and open-source imagery, showed a batch of Su-34Ms painted in a distinctive desert brown-and-yellow camouflage pattern, a design strongly associated with Algeria.
While the report initially mentioned both Algeria and North Korea as potential customers, the color scheme aligns closely with Algeria’s desert terrain and established procurement habits. This suggests that production is already underway for Algeria’s first batch of Su-34Ms. Business Insider Africa reported that in December 2019, Algeria ordered 14 Su-34MEs, along with equal numbers of Su-57Es and Su-35Es, with deliveries scheduled through 2025.
The new aircraft are expected to replace Algeria’s aging Su-24M strike fighters, which have been in service since the 1990s. If confirmed, this acquisition would make Algeria the first export recipient of the Su-34M, further solidifying its reputation as Africa’s most heavily equipped air force and underscoring Russia’s growing defense ties on the continent.
Analysts also highlight the Su-34M’s affordability, with a reported unit price below $10 million for Algeria, offering a cost-effective yet capable upgrade for its strike and bomber fleet. With long-range endurance and extended missile reach, the Su-34M could allow Algeria to project airpower beyond North Africa, potentially reaching as far as the Persian Gulf or central Europe.
