Ethiopia receives 12 Russian Su-35 fighter jets amid escalation in Tigray

Delivery of fighter jets and plans for S-400 systems

Ethiopia has received 12 Su-35 fighter jets from Russia, BBC Africa reported. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who is visiting the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow,stated that the agreement to purchase the aircraft and S-400 systems was concluded several years ago, and the fighter jets arrived earlier than scheduled. He also announced that Addis Ababa plans to acquire four S-400 air defence systems from Moscow. The Prime Minister described the deal as a 'milestone' and characterised Vladimir Putin as a 'close friend of Ethiopia', adding that the country has become the first in sub-Saharan Africa to possess such 'advanced military hardware'.

Military context and technical specifications

Abiy emphasised that military equipment is necessary to protect against external threats: 'If we do not build this capacity, it will be difficult for our country to survive in our region'. According to his description, the Su-35 is capable of conducting both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat and can detect and neutralise incoming cruise missiles at distances of up to 200 kilometres. He also highlighted the importance of drones for deterrence, noting that Ethiopia has actively used Turkish and Chinese-made unmanned aerial vehicles in recent conflicts. Military analyst Kalab Segatu, in a comment to BBC Amharic, interpreted the purchase as a sign that the country is 'preparing for possible wars with other states, not just internal conflicts'; in his view, the combination of fighter jets and air defence systems creates significant potential for protecting major cities and critical infrastructure, including the 'Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam'.

Background: conflict in Tigray and tensions with Eritrea

The delivery took place amid renewed conflict in northern Ethiopia: hostilities between the government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which rules Tigray, began last month, with both sides mutually accusing each other of violating the 2022 agreement that ended the civil war. At the same time, tensions with Eritrea persist: Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of supporting the TPLF, a claim Asmara denies, while Abiy's statement that the lack of direct access to the sea is an 'existential issue' for the country is perceived by Eritrea as a threat to its sovereignty. Eritrea gained independence in 1993 after a long war, depriving Ethiopia of access to the sea. BBC notes that Russia and Ethiopia have signed several military agreements in recent years, including a 2021 arrangement on military training and technological development of the army.

Image source, Abiy Ahmed/Facebook