Ethiopia Receives Advanced Su-35 Fighter Jets and S-400 Defense Systems

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that Ethiopia has officially taken delivery of 12 Su-35 4++ generation fighter jets and four batteries of S-400 air defense systems. Following high-level discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, this acquisition makes Ethiopia the first nation in Sub-Saharan Africa to possess such advanced military technology.

The Prime Minister emphasized that these upgrades are crucial for securing national airspace and enhancing Ethiopia's strategic deterrence capabilities. He detailed that the Su-35 jets are designed for versatile combat roles and can intercept advanced ballistic and cruise threats. Abiy underscored that maintaining robust military readiness during peacetime is essential for national sovereignty, and he extended his gratitude to President Putin for the strategic partnership in security and development.