Ethiopia has received its first batch of Russian-made Su-35S multirole fighters, marking a new phase in the expansion of its combat aircraft fleet. The aircraft were manufactured by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant and supplied through Russia’s state-owned arms exporter Rosoboronexport.
The delivery adds a modern fourth-generation-plus fighter type to the Ethiopian Air Force’s inventory. The Su-35S is designed for air-superiority and multirole missions, giving Ethiopia an additional capability for air defence and strike operations. The size of the initial batch and the total number of aircraft covered by the contract have not been disclosed.
The procurement includes training for Ethiopian flight crews and engineering personnel in Russia. This support package is intended to establish the personnel skills required to operate and maintain the aircraft, although no details have been released on the training schedule or the timeline for operational service entry.
The delivery also strengthens Russia’s defence-industrial relationship with Ethiopia. Rosoboronexport said African countries account for more than 30% of its order book and that it is preparing more than 20 joint projects across the continent. These initiatives cover maintenance and repair services for military equipment, as well as potential localisation of production.
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