Ethiopia Receives 12 Russian Su-35 Fighters Early, Plans Four S-400 Batteries

Ethiopia has taken delivery of its first 12 Russian Su-35 fighter jets a year earlier than planned and announced plans to acquire four S-400 air defense batteries, accelerating its military buildup as tensions with neighboring Eritrea threaten to escalate into war.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed disclosed the acquisitions on October 28 during a visit to Moscow for the third Russia–Africa Summit. Ethiopian state media reported that he attended the formal handover of the aircraft alongside Russian officials.

"Today, in accordance with our prior agreement with the Russian government, we have taken delivery of the first twelve Su-35 4++ Generation fighter jets," Abiy said in a statement posted on social media.

The Ethiopian leader credited Russian President Vladimir Putin with bringing forward the deliveries by 12 months. He also confirmed that Addis Ababa would receive four batteries of Russia's S-400 air defense system.

Russian Arms Deal Accelerates

The acquisition represents a significant expansion of Ethiopia's combat aviation capabilities, although the government has not

Images released from the handover showed a Su-35 bearing Ethiopian markings, including the country's national flag on its tail. The aircraft, identified by serial number 2551, appeared in light gray camouflage.

The ceremony establishes the formal transfer of the initial batch, but there has been no independent confirmation that all 12 fighters have reached Ethiopian territory.

The reported scale of the acquisition also exceeds earlier indications of Ethiopia's procurement plans.

Documents attributed to Russian defense conglomerate Rostec and leaked by the hacker group Black Mirror in October 2025 listed Ethiopia as a customer for six Su-35 fighters. Neither Ethiopia nor Rostec publicly commented on those documents.

Abiy's announcement of 12 aircraft suggests the arrangement may have been expanded or accelerated, although the overall size of the order remains undisclosed.disclosed the contract's value, the full number of aircraft ordered or the timetable for the S-400 deliveries.

Air Force Modernization

The Su-35 acquisition adds another Russian-built platform to an Ethiopian fleet that has undergone successive rounds of modernization.

Ethiopia introduced Su-30K fighters in January 2024, believed to have originated from aircraft previously operated by India. It had also acquired six Yak-130 aircraft by early 2026.

The Ethiopian Air Force has long operated Su-27 fighters, acquired in the late 1990s and deployed during the 1998–2000 war with Eritrea.

The new Su-35 aircraft offer a different level of capability. Classified as 4++ generation fighters, they are equipped with twin AL-41F1S thrust-vectoring engines, an Irbis-E radar and 12 weapons hardpoints, with a reported maximum speed of approximately Mach 2.25.

Ethiopia has also expanded its unmanned aviation capabilities through Turkish Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı drones, alongside Chinese Wing Loong II and Iranian Mohajer-6 platforms.

Abiy has previously outlined an ambition to develop fifth-generation combat aviation capabilities by 2030.

Four S-400 Batteries Planned

The planned acquisition of four S-400 batteries would substantially expand Ethiopia's ground-based air defense capabilities.

The Russian system would provide capabilities beyond those of existing platforms such as the Pantsir-S1, although Addis Ababa has yet to specify when the batteries will be transferred.

The announcement also leaves open questions about operational deployment, personnel training and the broader integration of the new systems into Ethiopia's air defense structure.

Russia has previously exported the S-400 to China, India and Türkiye. Ethiopia's planned acquisition would extend the system's international customer base.

Eritrea Confrontation Intensifies

The arms announcement comes during a deterioration in relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea, with both governments exchanging accusations over military threats and support for hostile forces.

Addis Ababa has accused Eritrea of supporting an alliance involving the Tigray People's Liberation Front and other armed groups, while also alleging incursions into Ethiopian territory.

Eritrea has accused Ethiopia of preparing to use military force to secure access to the Red Sea, particularly through the Eritrean port of Assab.

The diplomatic confrontation intensified on October 1, when Ethiopia closed its embassy in Asmara and expelled Eritrean diplomats. Eritrea subsequently adopted reciprocal measures.

On October 10, Ethiopia invoked Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which addresses the right of self-defense. Eritrea separately called for Security Council action under Chapter VII to deter Ethiopian military moves.

Abiy has warned of "extremely severe" consequences amid the confrontation and described Ethiopia's access to the Red Sea as an existential issue.

The International Crisis Group has warned that the dispute risks developing into a near full-scale war.

Moscow Signals Willingness to Mediate

The Ethiopian prime minister's Moscow visit also coincides with Russian diplomatic efforts to facilitate discussions between the two governments.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated on October 27–28 that Moscow was prepared to host talks if the parties agreed.

"If they show interest; whether now, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, Russia will strive to host and facilitate the meeting," Lavrov said.

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki is also attending the Moscow gathering, although no meeting between the Ethiopian and Eritrean leaders has been confirmed.

Ethiopia joined BRICS in January 2024, adding another dimension to its relations with Moscow.

The fighter handover places Russia at the center of Ethiopia's latest military modernization effort while offering Moscow a potential diplomatic role in the dispute with Eritrea.

For Addis Ababa, the immediate priority is integrating its newly acquired fighters into an air force facing heightened regional security pressures. The arrival date of the promised S-400 batteries remains unclear.