Why is Ethiopia Suddenly Stockpiling Russian Fighter Jets and S-400s?

Ethiopia has received 12 Russian Su-35 fighter jets and will acquire four S-400 air defence batteries under a deal announced by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during a visit to Moscow, in a move experts say strengthens Russia’s influence in the Horn of Africa.

Abiy made the announcement at the Russia-Africa Summit, saying the aircraft had been delivered a year ahead of schedule under an earlier agreement.

“I value the friendly relations between Russia and Ethiopia,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said. “Russia and Ethiopia stand together in international affairs.”

Abiy thanked Putin for the early delivery and said the equipment would strengthen Ethiopia’s ability to “preemptively deter aggression.”

Analysts say the deal builds on long-standing military cooperation dating back to the Cold War, while providing Moscow with arms revenue and expanded diplomatic reach. Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most populous country, offers a significant market as competing powers seek influence on the continent.

“Russia has been engaged in Ethiopia for decades, part of the legacy of the Cold War,” said Benedict Manzin, a lead analyst at risk consultancy Sibylline. “Russia is also in the business of making money through arms sales. This is one of Russia’s primary exports to Africa.”

The Su-35s expand Ethiopia’s existing fleet of Russian-made fighters, while the S-400 systems are intended to counter conventional aerial threats, including from neighbouring Eritrea’s limited air force and drones, Manzin said. However, he noted that such systems can be overwhelmed by large numbers of small, cheap drones, as seen in Ukraine.

The delivery comes amid renewed fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, a separate rebellion in Amhara and tensions with Eritrea. Manzin cautioned that the purchases were negotiated earlier and should not be seen solely as a response to the latest battlefield developments.

Ethiopia continues to engage multiple partners, including China and Western investors, rather than aligning exclusively with Moscow, according to analysts. Bilateral trade between Russia and Ethiopia exceeded $1.3 billion in the first nine months of 2026, more than double the figure for all of 2025, Putin said.