Ethiopia receives Russian fighter jets, air defence systems

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali delivers a speech during the annual African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 14. Reuters news agency was not allowed to attend. (

Ethiopia has received dozens of fighter jets from Russia as the conflict in the northern Tigray region, which neighbours Eritrea, intensifies.

The country received a dozen Russian Su-35 fighter jets on Wednesday and is also expected to receive four S-400 air defence systems to boost its military capabilities.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described the military deliveries as a milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen national security.

In a post on X, he said the jets were supplied under a prior agreement with the Russian government and will bolster its quest for national sovereignty, as well as regional collective security and stability.

He also indicated that Ethiopia received the “warplanes a year ahead of our agreed schedule.”

“By equipping itself with these fighter jets, Ethiopia has taken the lead among Sub-Saharan African nations,” he said

The announcement comes as the 2-day Russia-Africa summit in Moscow commenced.

Prime Minister Ahmed is also present at the summit, which is described as an attempt by President Vladimir Putin to expand Russia’s footprint in Africa.

The Ethiopian leader has described President Putin as a close friend of Ethiopia.

He also said Addis Ababa has 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.

“Ethiopia’s newly deployed military jets will remain more ready than ever to defend the airspace!” he said.

PREMIUM TIMES reported renewed armed clashes in northern Tigray between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) weeks ago.

The rebel forces also seized control of Mekelle and the Alula Aba Nega Airport. Government and allied forces, however, retook Mekelle on Sunday after the TPLF said it “temporarily moved out of” Tigray’s regional capital to “operate from somewhere else”.

Eritrean troops also crossed into the Tigray region in early October, triggering a sharp escalation in tensions and raising fears about a potential regional war.