Ethiopia receives 12 Russian Su-35 multirole fighter jets, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed saying the delivery happens a year ahead of schedule. Multiple outlets report that Ethiopia also plans to receive four Russian S-400 air defence system batteries as part of the same procurement arrangement.
The announcements are tied to Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Moscow, where he speaks about strengthening Ethiopia’s military capabilities. Some coverage highlights the expectation of completing the air-defence component later, while others focus on the near-term fact of the Su-35 handover.
Outlets differ mainly in framing. Al Jazeera links the move to the country’s internal conflict context, referencing fighting involving armed groups in Tigray and Amhara. Bloomberg and The War Zone emphasize timing and the broader package of fighters plus S-400 systems. The Punch and Moscow Times present the delivery announcement more straightforwardly, with the S-400 acquisition as an added detail.
