Ethiopia Receives 12 Russian Su-35 Fighter Jets, Plans to Acquire S-400 Defense Systems

Ethiopia has reportedly received 12 Russian Su-35 multirole fighter jets and is planning to acquire four S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile batteries. This acquisition is expected to significantly enhance the country’s air combat and defense capabilities, as the Su-35 is designed to engage both aerial and ground targets, while the S-400 system is designed to intercept aircraft and various missile threats.

The Ethiopian Air Force currently operates Su-27 fighters from the 1990s, two Su-30K aircraft delivered in January 2024, and older Su-25 ground-attack aircraft and MiG-23BN fighters. Beyond these specific weapons procurements, the report notes a broader expansion in military cooperation between Ethiopia and Russia.