Ethiopia receives Russian fighter jets, air defence systems

Ethiopia has won dozens of fighter jets from Russia because the warfare within the northern Tigray area, which neighbours Eritrea, intensifies.

The rustic won a dozen Russian Su-35 fighter jets on Wednesday and could also be anticipated to obtain 4 S-400 air defence techniques to spice up its army features.

Ethiopian High Minister Abiy Ahmed described the army deliveries as a milestone within the nation’s efforts to make stronger nationwide safety.

In a post on X, he mentioned the jets had been equipped beneath a previous settlement with the Russian govt and can bolster its quest for nationwide sovereignty, in addition to regional collective safety and balance.

He additionally indicated that Ethiopia won the “warplanes a 12 months forward of our agreed agenda.”

“Via equipping itself with those fighter jets, Ethiopia has taken the lead amongst Sub-Saharan African international locations,” he mentioned

The announcement comes because the 2-day Russia-Africa summit in Moscow commenced.

High Minister Ahmed could also be provide on the summit, which is described as an strive by way of President Vladimir Putin to extend Russia’s footprint in Africa.

The Ethiopian chief has described President Putin as a detailed good friend of Ethiopia.

He additionally mentioned Addis Ababa has change into the primary nation in sub‑Saharan Africa to possess this type of “complex fight generation.”

“If we fail to construct this capacity, surviving as a rustic in our area will change into tricky. International locations with enough preparation aren’t simply defied.

“Ethiopia’s newly deployed army jets will stay extra in a position than ever to protect the airspace!” he mentioned.

PREMIUM TIMES reported renewed armed clashes in northern Tigray between the Ethiopian govt and the Tigray Other people’s Liberation Entrance (TPLF) weeks in the past. 

The rise up forces additionally seized keep an eye on of Mekelle and the Alula Aba Nega Airport. Executive and allied forces, alternatively, retook Mekelle on Sunday after the TPLF mentioned it “quickly moved out of” Tigray’s regional capital to “function from in other places”.

Eritrean troops additionally crossed into the Tigray area in early October, triggering a pointy escalation in tensions and elevating fears a few attainable regional battle.