PM Abiy Ahmed Announces Ethiopia's Receipt of Su-35 Fighter Jets

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has officially announced that Ethiopia has received the first batch of 12 Su-35 fighter jets from Russia. In addition to the aircraft, the government is set to receive four S-400 air defense system batteries. The Prime Minister emphasized that this military upgrade is strictly for defensive purposes and acts as a deterrent, rather than a means to initiate conflict. The delivery of the Su-35 jets was accelerated following a direct request by Prime Minister Abiy to President Vladimir Putin, who ordered the priority shipment. With this acquisition, Ethiopia becomes the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to possess such advanced aerial technology. The Su-35s are capable of intercepting cruise missiles from distances of up to 200 kilometers. The Prime Minister stated that strengthening aerial defenses is critical for the country's security given the geopolitical challenges surrounding Ethiopia.