Ethiopia receives 12 Russian Su-35 fighter jets, Abiy says
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced the delivery on X on Wednesday during a visit to Moscow. He said Ethiopia will also acquire four Russian S-400 air defence batteries but gave no date for their arrival.
Ethiopia has taken delivery of 12 Russian Su-35 fighter jets, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on Wednesday. He posted the news on X while in Moscow for the two-day Russia-Africa Summit, Hiiraan Online reported. Abiy said Ethiopia will also acquire four S-400 air defence batteries. The systems are designed to shoot down aircraft and missiles. He did not say when they would arrive. Premium Times also reported the delivery of the jets and air defence systems. Abiy said the new equipment would strengthen Ethiopia's ability to "preemptively deter aggression". In a second post later that day, he described the jets as newly deployed. He said they would defend Ethiopian airspace. The deal adds to a growing military partnership between Addis Ababa and Moscow. The two governments signed a military cooperation agreement in Addis Ababa in July 2021. It aimed to improve training and technology in the Ethiopian armed forces. In January, defence publication Janes reported that Ethiopia had displayed newly acquired Russian Yak-130 jet trainers at its air…
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