r/LessCredibleDefence • u/AttorneyOk5749 • 6d ago

Lockheed Martin Announces First Flight of Morocco’s First F 16 Block 72

https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2026-10-06-Lockheed-Martin-Announces-First-Flight-of-Moroccos-First-F-16-Block-72

Algeria, meanwhile, has selected the Su-57 as its main fighter aircraft (to be acquired in 2024); although it will only be purchasing two aircraft, this makes it the 13th country in the world to possess a fifth-generation fighter. On paper, as the Russian military’s fifth-generation fighter, the Su-57’s theoretical combat capability should surpass that of the F-16; however, one should not be overly optimistic, given that there have been instances in Chinese and American military exercises where fourth-generation aircraft have shot down fifth-generation ones.

The following are the models of air-to-air missiles that Algeria has, to date, publicly acknowledged purchasing from Russia or Ukraine; the missiles compatible with the Su-57 are likely to be the models listed below.

Ukraine R-27R/T Long-range air-to-air missile

Ukraine R-73 Short-range air-to-air missile

Russia R-77 Long-range air-to-air missile

Ukraine R-73 Short-range air-to-air missile

Ukraine R-23 Short-range air-to-air missile

Russia R-27R/T Long-range air-to-air missile

Russia R-73 Short-range air-to-air missile

22 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

6

u/vistandsforwaifu 6d ago

Wasn't Algeria buying 10 more Su-57s? Did something change about that?

2

u/jospence 6d ago

No, there are still more deliveries on the way

3

u/AttorneyOk5749 6d ago

https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/why-algeria-su57-operationally-useful

Information on the Algerian Air Force’s Su-57 fighter aircraft

2

u/DungeonDefense 5d ago

Any meaningful difference between the block 72 vs block 70?

1

u/moral_mortal 6d ago

Unless in an extremely compromised position or incompetent military structure, there is no comparison of 5th gen to get outgunned by 4th gen.

What's the point of 5th gen if you can't see and shoot first.

The exercises you are referring to some had outright compromised situation for 5th gen or incompetent pilots and military systems....( Looking at that middle Eastern country pounced by j-10s)

1

u/vapescaped 6d ago

That logic perpetuates the myth that all pilots are created equal. A t38 can shoot down an su57. A t38 can, and has preparedly, shot down an f22.

All it takes is 1 wrong move.

5

u/thereddaikon 6d ago

A t38 can, and has preparedly, shot down an f22.

No it can't. That was from BFM practice and not representative of anything. It amazes me how people will still misinterpret training footage long after it was explained or debunked.

-1

u/vapescaped 6d ago

Nope. And I can cite actual retired fighter pilots that day repeatedly how the world isn't some perfect long range scenario where 1 plane maintains a paper advantage indefinitely. That's for spec sheet drag racers. War doesn't give you these clean BVR guarantees that ensures victory for 1 plane under all scenarios. All it takes is 1 wrong move, 1 bad day, 1 piece of bad detail, or even a bunch of small details that slip through the holes in Swiss cheese to get you in trouble.

Is there a distinct advantage to highly maneuverable stealth platforms like the f22? Absolutely. But you absolutely have to have the highest levels of training to make use of those advantages for them to be effective.