Ethiopia has taken delivery of advanced Russian military hardware originally ordered several years ago under an accelerated fulfillment schedule. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced the arrival of the combat assets while visiting Moscow, revealing plans to integrate the aircraft with the country's existing drone fleets and fourth-generation systems. The deployment coincides with fresh hostilities between federal forces and the TPLF, amid mutual accusations of breaching their 2022 peace accord. Military analysts point out that the hardware's 200-kilometer interception range is primarily intended to protect major metropolitan centers and critical infrastructure from external threats.
Key points
The advanced equipment is configured to establish air superiority and shield strategic in…: The advanced equipment is configured to establish air superiority and shield strategic infrastructure such as the Renaissance Dam.
The arms arrival coincides with renewed northern clashes as both federal troops and the T…: The arms arrival coincides with renewed northern clashes as both federal troops and the TPLF trade blame over truce violations.
Ethiopian accusations of Eritrean backing for northern rebels reflect widening regional f…: Ethiopian accusations of Eritrean backing for northern rebels reflect widening regional friction tied to cross-border tensions and sea access disputes.
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Ethiopia has received 12 Su-35 fighter jets from Russia, as fighting intensified in the northern Tigray region neighbouring Eritrea.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who is attending the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, described the acquisition as a "milestone" that would boost Ethiopia's defence capacity.
He said Ethiopia and Russia agreed on the deal several years ago and the warplanes had come ahead of schedule. He also said that Ethiopia had plans to acquire four S-400 air defence systems from Moscow.
The Ethiopian leader said the military hardware was essential to protect the country from external threats.
Abiy, who described Russian President Vladimir Putin, "as a close friend of Ethiopia", said Ethiopia had now become the first country in sub‑Saharan Africa to own this kind of "advanced combat technology."
"If we fail to build this capability, surviving as a country in our region will become difficult. Countries with sufficient preparation are not easily defied," he said.
Russia and Ethiopia have signed several military agreements in recent years, including a deal in 2021 to train and improve technology for the military.
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