Ethiopia receives 12 Russian Su-35 fighter jets
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Fanamc
Ethiopia has received its first 12 Su-35 fighter jets, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced, describing the delivery as a major boost to the country’s defence capabilities. Four S-400 air defence batteries are also planned under the agreement with Russia, according to Abiy Ahmed, who said the aircraft had arrived a year early.
Ethiopia has received 12 Russian Su-35 fighter jets, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced in a social media post, according to Fanamc. He said the delivery, provided for in an agreement between Addis Ababa and Moscow, had arrived a year ahead of schedule.
Abiy Ahmed also said Ethiopia was due to receive four batteries of Russia’s S-400 air defence system. He described the acquisition of the aircraft as a strengthening of the country’s defence capabilities and said it made Ethiopia one of the first countries in sub-Saharan Africa to operate Su-35s.
The Prime Minister thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for speeding up the delivery. The announcement came as Abiy Ahmed was in Russia for the third Russia-Africa summit.
The delivery comes amid tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Abiy Ahmed threatened Asmara with “very grave” consequences on 20 October, after calling for peace and shared development on 19 October. He had previously been urged to engage in dialogue by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on 16 October, amid tensions with Eritrea.
