Ethiopia says it has taken delivery of 12 Russian-made Su-35 fighter jets and will later receive four S-400 air defence systems from Moscow, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. Abiy said on X that the deliveries marked a milestone in strengthening national security and, in his words, in pre-emptively deterring aggression. He also said Russian President Vladimir Putin had helped ensure early delivery. The deal's value, S-400 date and bases were not disclosed.

Why the delivery matters now

The announcement comes as Ethiopia faces renewed security pressure, including in northern Tigray, where a rebel alliance launched an offensive last month, rekindling a war that killed hundreds of thousands of people between 2020 and 2022. In that earlier conflict, air power, especially foreign-made drones, helped turn the tide, according to Reuters' reporting. The fighting has coincided with severed ties between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which Addis Ababa accuses of backing the rebels, a charge Asmara denies.

Questions that remain unanswered

Ethiopian state-affiliated outlet Fana Media Corporation described the delivery as part of an existing agreement covering the jets and four S-400 batteries, within a wider partnership spanning trade, energy and technology. That framing is the outlet's characterisation, not independent verification. Reuters reported that Rostec, Russia's state arms-export conglomerate, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. No independent confirmation of arrival or condition was reported.

The cost, timetable, location and training arrangements have not been published. Those gaps matter because advanced aircraft need sustained support to stay operational, and air defence systems can carry wider regional implications depending on where they are deployed. For now, what can be reported with confidence is the prime minister's announcement, the numbers he gave, and the context of renewed conflict and strained relations with Eritrea. Further official statements, or independent evidence of the aircraft in service, would be needed to confirm more.

Sources: Reuters and Fana Media Corporation.