Ethiopia has received 12 Su-35 fighter jets and four S-400 air defense system batteries from Russia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced during a visit to Moscow. The delivery arrived a year ahead of the agreed schedule.
Abiy thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for his dedication in ensuring the warplanes arrived early. He made the announcement on his X account on Wednesday while attending a Russia-Africa summit.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions between the Horn of Africa nation and Eritrea. Earlier this month, Addis Ababa accused its neighbor of sending troops across the border in violation of Ethiopian territory. It is also alleged that Eritrea supports armed groups, including the Tigray People's Liberation Front, in the restive northern Tigray region.
Abiy said the delivery will strengthen Ethiopia's sovereignty and serve as a massive capability boost. He said it will allow the country to confidently continue ensuring its collective security and regional stability in the future.
Source: Bloomberg Markets · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing