In arms race for air superiority, Russia challenges US hegemony

Moscow’s expanding sales bring money and geopolitical influence, with clients such as Egypt, Turkey and Algeria.

Athens, Greece – Five years since its return to the Middle East with a military base in Syria, Russia is moving into weapons markets left vacant by the United States and boosting sales to traditional clients. Moscow’s expanding arms sales bring money and geopolitical influence, as it seeks to challenge US hegemony. On February 25, Russia officially announced that Egypt had received five Sukhoi Su-35 advanced multi-role fighter aircraft, the first of an order of 24.