Ethiopia Receives 12 Russian Su-35 Fighter Jets

By Reuters Oct. 28, 2026 A Su-35 fighter jet. Alex Beltyukov (CC BY-SA 3.0) Ethiopia has received a dozen Russian Su-35 fighter jets and will later receive four S-400 air defense systems as part of a push to bolster its military capabilities, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Wednesday. Abiy wrote on X that Russia's deliveries marked a milestone in Ethiopia's efforts to strengthen national security and "pre-emptively deter aggression." He said Russian President Vladimir Putin had helped ensure the fourth-generation Su-35 military planes were delivered a year earlier than scheduled. Abiy did not disclose the value of the agreement, when the S-400 systems would be delivered or where the aircraft and air defense batteries would be based. Ethiopia faces multiple security challenges, including in the northern Tigray region, where a rebel alliance last month launched an offensive against the government, rekindling a war that killed hundreds of thousands of people between 2020 and 2022 In the previous conflict, its air power — especially through the widespread deployment of foreign-made drones — helped turn the tide of the fighting. The renewed fighting led to the severing of ties between Ethiopia and its neighbour Eritrea, which Addis Ababa accuses of backing the rebels, although Asmara denies that. The Russian state-owned defence conglomerate Rostec, responsible for Russian arms exports, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read more about: Africa , Defense Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Early Setbacks for Russian Mercenaries as Conflict Flares in Mali, MT Analysis Shows Mali's largest coordinated attacks in more than a decade dealt a staggering blow to the central government — and to the Russian forces helping it. 3 Min read Niger Regime Chief Talks ‘Security Cooperation’ With Putin Niger has embraced Russia as a fledgling defense partner since the elected president was ousted last year. 2 Min read Russia Opens Military Office in Central African Republic Moscow is also considering expanding its pool of military instructors in CAR. Russia Awaits Kremlin Reaction to Islamic State Downing of Helicopter Russian officials are expected to respond harshly to the Friday incident that saw a Russian Mi-35M helicopter shot down by the Islamic State in Syria.Russia...