Ethiopia has received its first Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets and plans to acquire Russia’s S-400 air defense system as it moves to strengthen its military amid renewed conflict at home.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced the delivery on X on October 28, 2026, during a visit to Moscow for the Russia-Africa Summit. He said Ethiopia will receive 12 Su-35s and four S-400 batteries in total. He described the new equipment as a milestone in efforts to strengthen national security and deter aggression before it happens.
Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport told Reuters that a first batch of two Su-35s had been delivered to the Ethiopian Air Force that day. In a later post, Abiy said the newly deployed jets would defend Ethiopian airspace.
According to Abiy, the fighters arrived a year ahead of the agreed schedule, and he credited Russian President Vladimir Putin with helping speed up the delivery. He did not disclose the value of the deal, when the S-400 systems will arrive or where the aircraft and air defense batteries will be based.
Our comprehensive efforts to sustainably ensure our country’s peace and security have reached a new milestone today. The state of readiness being built within Ethiopia’s defense forces is endowing the nation with the capability to preemptively deter aggression. In accordance with our prior agreement with the Russian government, we have today taken delivery of the first twelve Su-35 4++ Generation fighter jets. Additionally, Ethiopia will receive four S-400 air defense system batteries. I would like to express my gratitude to my friend, Russian President Vladimir Putin, for his dedication in ensuring we received these 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. This historic achievement further strengthens our nation’s sovereignty, and it will serve as a massive capability boost that allows us to confidently continue our journey toward ensuring our collective security and regional stability in the future.
— Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 (@AbiyAhmedAli) October 28, 2026
Growing military ties with Moscow
The acquisition is the latest sign of a deepening defense relationship between Ethiopia and Russia. The two countries signed a military cooperation agreement in Addis Ababa in July 2021, focused on training and technology for the Ethiopian armed forces.
In January 2026, defense publication Janes reported that Ethiopia had displayed newly acquired Russian Yak-130 advanced jet trainers during celebrations marking the 90th anniversary of its air force.
Ethiopia is one of several African countries turning to Russian combat aircraft. Algeria took delivery of a batch of Su-34 strike fighters in May 2026, and according to Military Watch Magazine, Sudan is reportedly negotiating to buy Su-30 and Su-35 jets in exchange for allowing Russia to set up a naval facility on the Red Sea.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia supplied 15% of Africa’s major arms imports between 2021 and 2025, making it the continent’s third-largest supplier. Moscow has been seeking closer military and economic ties across Africa while facing Western sanctions over its war in Ukraine.
Renewed conflict in Tigray
The arrival of the jets comes at a time when Ethiopia is battling a renewed rebel offensive in the northern Tigray region, launched in September 2026, which reignited a 2020–2022 war that killed hundreds of thousands of people. Government forces entered the regional capital, Mekelle, on October 4, 2026, but fighting continues.
Federal troops are also fighting Fano, an armed group in the neighboring Amhara region. Meanwhile, Ethiopia has cut ties with Eritrea, which it accuses of backing the rebels, a claim Eritrea denies.
In the last Tigray war, Ethiopia’s use of foreign-made drones helped turn the fighting in the government’s favor.