Ethiopia Receives 12 Russian Su-35 Fighter Jets
Ethiopia has received 12 Su-35 fighter jets from Russia, while Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has announced plans to purchase four Russian-made S-400 air defence systems.
He disclosed the information in a post on X on Wednesday (October 28) while attending the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow.
The Ethiopian prime minister said his country had received the fighter jets a year ahead of the scheduled delivery date under the agreement. He also thanked Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin for ensuring their early delivery.
Mr. Abiy Ahmed said the new military equipment would strengthen Ethiopia’s defence capabilities and help deter potential aggression. In another post, he said the fighter jets had already been deployed to protect the country’s airspace.
However, he did not specify when the S-400 air defence systems would be delivered to Ethiopia. The systems are designed to intercept enemy aircraft and missiles.
The delivery of the fighter jets is the latest example of growing military cooperation between Ethiopia and Russia. The two countries signed a military cooperation agreement in July 2021 to enhance the training and technical capabilities of Ethiopia’s armed forces.
In January this year, defence publication Janes reported that Russian-made Yak-130 trainer aircraft were displayed at an event marking the 90th anniversary of the Ethiopian Air Force.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia accounted for 15 per cent of major arms imports by African countries between 2021 and 2025, making it the continent’s third-largest arms supplier.
Facing Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine, Moscow is seeking to strengthen its military and economic ties with African countries. Leaders attending the Russia-Africa summit, which began on Wednesday, are discussing trade, investment and security.
