As geopolitical tensions rise in eastern Africa, Ethiopia appears intent on showing dominance over its neighbors in the sky—using Russian equipment.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on Wednesday that his country had received its first 12 Russian-built Su-35 Flanker-E/M fighter jets, one year ahead of the agreed-upon schedule. Abiy also announced that Ethiopia would receive four S-400 Triumf air defense systems in the coming months.

The acquisition comes amid persistent regional tensions and internal security challenges in East Africa. It also underscores Russia’s continued efforts to maintain military export relationships around the world, even in spite of the heavy demands placed on its defense industrial base by its ongoing war in Ukraine.

Why Does Ethiopia Want Russian Air Equipment?

The Su-35 represents a major upgrade for the Ethiopian Air Force, which has until now relied almost exclusively on aging Soviet-era MiG-23 Flogger fighter-bombers and Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot, Su-27 Flanker, and Su-30 Flanker-C fighter jets.

Russia has described the twin-engine Su-35, first developed in the late 1980s, as a “fourth-generation-plus-plus” fighter, although some international observers have disputed that characterization. The aircraft was originally developed from the Su-27 Flanker family, complete with thrust-vectoring engines, an Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, long-range air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground strike capabilities, and electronic warfare and self-protection systems.

In that sense, Ethiopia will find the Su-35 familiar, and its pilots will not need to learn an entirely new platform in order to familiarize themselves with the Su-35. At the same time, the Flanker-E will offer significant improvements with respect to sensors, weapons integration, and combat performance. For Ethiopia, acquiring 12 of the aircraft represents a significant purchase with the potential for serious capabilities augmentation—though the actual effectiveness of the new fleet will depend on variables like pilot training, maintenance, and operational readiness.

Ethiopia’s decision to purchase four S-400 batteries is also notable. The S-400 Triumf is a long-range surface-to-air missile system designed to engage aircraft, cruise missiles, and certain ballistic threats. Combined with the Su-35 purchase, the S-400 could provide Ethiopia with a more capable layered air-defense network. However, it is worth noting that the batteries have not been delivered yet—and Russia has struggled to field enough of the systems in Ukraine, meaning that its promise to Addis Ababa could end up delayed.

Su-35 Flanker-E vs. Su-27 Flanker: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Aircraft	Su-27 Flanker (Eritrea)	Su-35 Flanker-E (Ethiopia)
Year Introduced	1985	2014
Number Built	~680 (original variant)	~100 (production ongoing)
Length	72.0 ft (21.94 m)	71.9 ft (21.9 m)
Wingspan	48.2 ft (15.3 m)	48.2 ft (15.3 m)
Weight (MTOW)	66,140 lb (30,000 kg)	76,059 lb (34,500 kg)
Engines	Two Saturn AL-41F1S afterburning turbofans	Two Saturn AL-41F1S afterburning turbofans
Top Speed	Mach 2.35 (2,500 km/h, 1,350 knots)	Mach 2.25 (2,390 km/h, 1,290 knots)
Service Ceiling	62,335 ft (19,000 m)	59,060 ft (18,000 m)
Range	~2,193 mi (3,530 km) on internal fuel	~2,236 mi (3,600 km) on internal fuel
Loadout	One 30mm GSh-30-1 autocannon; 10 external hardpoints; 13,230 lb (6,000 kg) payload capacity	One 30mm GSh-30-1 autocannon; 12 external hardpoints; 17,630 lb (8,000 kg) payload capacity
Aircrew	1	1

East Africa Is Gearing Up for Another Major Conflict

What does this mean for the region? Ethiopia occupies a strategically important position in the generally unstable Horn of Africa. Its relations remain strained with Eritrea, stemming from disputes involving the restive Tigray region in northern Ethiopia. Ethiopia and the separatist Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) fought a devastating three-year war from 2020 to 2022, killing at least tens of thousands of civilians and leading to a region-wide humanitarian crisis. Although the war ended in a negotiated settlement, fighting has recently flared up again, leading to fears of another full-scale war. It is notable that Eritrea’s air force is far smaller than Ethiopia’s, with only a handful of fighter jets and transport aircraft; the new planes could easily sweep their forces from the sky.

Ethiopia is also facing tensions with Egypt over disagreements on Nile water management. And its pursuit of maritime access has created diplomatic friction with Somalia. The purchase of the Su-35s and S-400s does not automatically give Ethiopia a military advantage over its neighbors, but it does change the deterrence calculus in the region—perhaps forcing neighboring states to reassess their own capabilities.

For Russia, the deal represents an opportunity to reinforce its position as a major arms supplier to African governments. It now has a long-term relationship built in with Ethiopia, who will presumably turn to the Kremlin for maintenance and spare parts, pilot and technician training, weapons procurement, and technical support and modernization. These dependencies can last for decades, and they have the potential to translate into diplomatic influence. The delivery also suggests that Russia has retained some export capacity, despite international sanctions and wartime production demands.

Ultimately, Ethiopia’s acquisition of the Su-35 fighters and (planned) S-400 batteries could substantially enhance the country’s military capabilities. The deal also signifies a deepening of the relationship between Addis Ababa and Moscow on a continent that is expected to see increased interest from world powers in the coming decades.

About the Author: Harrison Kass

Harrison Kass is a writer and attorney focused on national security, technology, and political culture. His work has appeared in Tablet, City Journal, The Hill, The Spectator, and The Cipher Brief. He holds a JD from the University of Oregon and a master’s in Global & Joint Program Studies from NYU. More at harrisonkass.com.

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