Ethiopia has taken delivery of 12 Su-35 fighter jets from Russia, marking what Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described as a significant advancement for the country’s military capabilities. The acquisition was announced during Abiy’s attendance at a Russia-Africa summit in Moscow. According to the Prime Minister, the two nations had reached an agreement on the purchase several years prior, and the aircraft arrived ahead of the originally scheduled timeline. Abiy also indicated that Ethiopia intends to procure four S-400 air defence systems from Russia as part of an expanded defense modernization effort.
Abiy characterized the military hardware acquisition as essential for protecting Ethiopia from external threats and stated that the country has now become the first nation in sub-Saharan Africa to possess such advanced combat technology. He emphasized that building sufficient military capability is necessary for national survival in the region, noting that well-prepared countries face fewer challenges to their security. The Su-35 jets are equipped for both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, with radar systems capable of detecting and neutralizing incoming cruise missiles at ranges up to 200 kilometers.
Military analysts have suggested that the acquisition signals Ethiopia’s preparation for potential international conflicts beyond internal security challenges. When combined, the fighter jets and air defence systems are said to provide substantial capacity for protecting major cities and critical infrastructure, including Ethiopia’s Renaissance Dam. The move reflects broader military modernization efforts that have incorporated military drones sourced from Turkey and China in recent conflicts.
The weapons acquisition coincides with renewed fighting last month in the northern Tigray region between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which controls the region. Both sides have accused each other of violating a 2022 ceasefire agreement that had ended a previous civil war. Ethiopia continues to accuse Eritrea of supporting the TPLF, a claim Eritrea denies. Ongoing regional tensions center partly on Ethiopia’s lack of direct sea access, which Abiy has described as an existential concern, while Eritrea views such assertions as threats to its sovereignty.
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