محمد حسن سنگتراش
12 یادداشت منتشر شدهRussia Surprises NATO and Europe with the Sale of Su-۵۷ Fighter Jets to Algeria
Algeria, Africa's energy hub to Europe, has a history of tense relations with France, Spain, and Italy.
The delivery of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jets to an Arab-Islamic country bordering NATO's key members could transform Algeria into a new Russia at the southern border of Europe and influence Arab-Western relations, particularly with countries like Egypt and Morocco.
In 2021, Algeria, due to political differences with Morocco, cut off its natural gas pipeline to Spain via Morocco and opted for the direct Medgaz pipeline instead. Meanwhile, Algeria and Spain have intense border disputes over the cities of Ceuta and Melilla and territorial waters.
On the other hand, while France, Spain, and Israel support Morocco, Algeria backs the Polisario Front in Western Sahara. Strengthening Algeria’s military could indirectly bolster its allies in the West and North Africa, particularly in the Strait of Gibraltar—similar to the situation with the Houthis in Yemen and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Algeria’s military strengthening will also enhance its role in the broader Islamic world.
The Islamic world can be divided into three main regions:
Eastern Asia, which is of great importance due to its large population, with countries like Indonesia located in this region.
The Central Islamic World, which is considered the "Land of Religions" (Theoland) and is home to the holy cities and rich oil and gas reserves.
The Western Islamic World, which includes North Africa and borders Europe, and through this region, Islam historically spread into Europe and entered Al-Andalus.
In the political chess game, Russia’s sale of fifth-generation fighter jets to Algeria represents a significant move. Meanwhile, Egypt, under U.S. pressure, canceled its contract for the purchase of fourth-generation Su-35 jets and left its production orders in Russia, which may now be sold to other countries.
Europeans have yet to produce their own fifth-generation fighter platform and, in order to maintain air superiority in this domain, they rely on the U.S. F-35 Lightning jets. Currently, France employs the 4++ Rafale fighter, while Italy and Spain are using the 4++ Eurofighter Typhoon to defend European airspace.
The sale of the Su-57 to Algeria will also prove costly for Egypt, as it is a customer of the French Rafale fighter jets and will now have to contend with Algeria’s Su-57, in addition to Israel, which is a user of the U.S. F-35 fifth-generation fighter.
The sale of the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet to Algeria has significantly impacted the balance of air superiority in southern Europe and North Africa.
Mohammad Hassan Sangtarash
Independent Researcher of Defense-Security Strategies in International Relations
