Abiy Ahmed expressed gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for ensuring the early delivery of the aircraft. The Prime Minister did not disclose the financial value of the arms agreement, the specific timeline for the delivery of the S-400 air defense systems, or the deployment locations for the new assets. Russia’s state-owned defense export agency, Rosoboronexport, subsequently confirmed the official status of the delivery. The acquisition includes a deal for four S-400 air defense system batteries, further strengthening Ethiopia’s military infrastructure.
The Sukhoi Su-35S is a 4++ generation multirole fighter designed for air superiority. It is equipped with advanced thrust-vectoring engines and the Phazotron Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array radar, which allows pilots to track multiple targets simultaneously. Integrating these platforms into the Ethiopian Air Force requires extensive pilot training, ground crew preparation, and logistical adjustments, marking a significant shift in the country’s technical military readiness.
The delivery arrives as Ethiopia faces mounting security challenges, particularly in the northern Tigray region. A rebel alliance launched an offensive last month, raising concerns of a renewed conflict following the war between 2020 and 2022 that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. During the previous conflict, Ethiopia relied heavily on foreign-made drones to bolster its air power. The current escalation has also intensified tensions with neighboring Eritrea; Addis Ababa accuses Asmara of supporting the rebels, a claim Asmara has denied.
This acquisition highlights Russia’s continued efforts to deepen defense partnerships across Africa, a region where several nations rely on Russian military equipment. Sudan’s Defence Ministry is reportedly negotiating with Moscow to acquire Su-30 and Su-35 fighter jets in exchange for allowing Russia to establish a major naval facility on the Red Sea. Meanwhile, Algeria received a batch of Russian Su-34M strike fighters in May, adding to its existing fleet. Earlier reports from Algerian defense publications indicated orders for 14 Su-34ME strike fighters, 14 Su-35E fighter jets, and 14 Su-57E fifth-generation aircraft. These deals underscore Russia’s persistent role in Africa’s defense procurement market, even as Moscow faces pressure on its military production and export capacity due to the war in Ukraine.
