Ethiopia Secures First Su-35 Fleet in Sub-Saharan Africa Amid Rising Tensions

Ethiopia took delivery of 12 Su-35 fighter jets from Russia on Wednesday.

The handover occurred in Moscow, where Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is attending the Russia-Africa summit. Ahmed described the acquisition as a milestone for the nation's defense capacity. He stated that the deal was agreed upon years ago and that the aircraft arrived ahead of schedule. Ethiopia plans to purchase four S-400 air defense systems from Moscow as well.

Ahmed called Russian President Vladimir Putin a close friend of Ethiopia. He noted that Ethiopia is the first sub-Saharan nation to own this type of advanced combat technology. The prime minister argued the equipment is essential for protecting the country against external threats. He said, "If we fail to build this capability, surviving as a country in our region will become difficult."

The Su-35 is equipped for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. The aircraft can detect and neutralize incoming cruise missiles at distances of up to 200 kilometers. Russia and Ethiopia signed a 2021 deal on training and military technology. Ahmed said the purchase reflects global air force trends and current security threats.

Military intelligence analyst Qalaab Segatu told BBC Amharic that the purchase signals preparation for possible wars with other countries. He said the jets are highly maneuverable and cover large areas. Their radars support air superiority and long-range scanning. Segatu stated that together with air defense systems, they create a capability to protect major cities and critical infrastructure like the Renaissance Dam.

The delivery follows the start of the current conflict in northern Tigray last month. The fighting pits the federal government against the Tigray People's Liberation Front, or TPLF. Each side accuses the other of breaking a 2022 deal that ended a civil war. Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of backing the TPLF, an allegation Eritrea denies.

Ahmed stressed that drones remain important for deterrence. Ethiopia has used military drones from Turkey and China in recent conflicts. He said the country needs to build capacity with both drones and fourth-generation aircraft like the Su-30 and Su-35. Abiy has called Ethiopia's lack of direct sea access an existential question. Eritrea became independent in 1993 after a decades-long war with Ethiopia.