Ethiopia Receives 12 Russian Su-35 Fighter Jets, Abiy Ahmed Announces S-400 Deal

Ethiopia Receives 12 Russian Su-35 Fighter Jets, Abiy Ahmed Announces S-400 Deal

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has announced the delivery of 12 Russian-made Su-35 fighter jets, alongside plans for the country to receive four batteries of S-400 air defence systems under a defence agreement with Moscow.

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Abiy described the development as a major milestone in Ethiopia’s efforts to strengthen national security, deter aggression and protect its sovereignty.

In a statement, the Prime Minister said the fighter jets were delivered a year ahead of the schedule agreed with the Russian government, thanking Russian President Vladimir Putin for facilitating the early delivery.

“I would like to express my gratitude to my friend, Russian President Vladimir Putin, for his dedication in ensuring we received these warplanes a year ahead of our agreed schedule,” Abiy said.

He added that the acquisition placed Ethiopia at the forefront of military aviation capabilities among sub-Saharan African countries.

According to the Prime Minister, the new aircraft and planned air defence systems would significantly strengthen the country’s ability to protect its territory and contribute to regional stability.

The Su-35 is a Russian multirole fighter designed for air superiority and ground-attack missions, while the S-400 is a long-range air defence system intended to intercept aircraft and various missile threats.

Abiy said the acquisitions would reinforce Ethiopia’s sovereignty and boost its capacity to safeguard national and regional security.

However, independent confirmation of the reported delivery of the 12 fighter jets and the planned acquisition of the four S-400 batteries was not provided in the supplied statement.