Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Oct. 28 that the country had received 12 Russian Su-35 fighters, describing the delivery as part of a broader effort to strengthen national security.
Abiy said Russian President Vladimir Putin helped secure the jets a year ahead of schedule. He said the delivery would help Ethiopia “pre-emptively deter aggression.” Ethiopia also expects four S-400 air defense systems from Moscow. Abiy left the deal’s value, the S-400 delivery timetable and the basing locations for the aircraft and systems undisclosed.
Separately, Reuters reported that a rebel coalition began an offensive against Ethiopia’s government in Tigray last month. The fighting revived a war that killed hundreds of thousands between 2020 and 2022, Reuters said. The outlet also reported that Ethiopia’s extensive use of foreign-made drones during that conflict helped shift the course of the fighting.
Ethiopia accuses neighboring Eritrea of backing the rebels, a charge Asmara denies. EconoTimes previously covered Abiy’s warning to Eritrea over alleged rebel support.
Reuters reported that Rostec, a Russian state-owned arms company, had not answered its request for comment. Abiy did not say when the S-400 systems would arrive.
