Ethiopia receives 12 Russian Su-35 jets, plans S-400 purchase

· Security · Ethiopia · Russia

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said his country had taken delivery of 12 Russian-made Su-35 fighter jets and will later receive four S-400 air defence systems from Moscow, part of a drive to bolster military capabilities as Ethiopia battles armed groups in Tigray and Amhara. He announced the deliveries during the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow. The deals deepen Russia's arms footprint in the Horn of Africa, a region where multiple conflicts are active.

Why it matters：Russian arms deliveries to Ethiopia strengthen Moscow's influence in a conflict-prone region and could alter military balances in the Horn of Africa.

Key points

  • Ethiopia received 12 Su-35 jets.
  • It expects four S-400 air defence systems later.
  • Abiy announced the deal at the Russia-Africa summit.

Sources (original reporting)

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