Why is Russia supplying Ethiopia with fighter jets and air defences?

Ethiopia has received 12 Russian Su-35 fighter jets and will acquire four S-400 air defence batteries, Al Jazeera reports. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced the deal in Moscow during the two-day Russia-Africa Summit, though he did not say when the air defence systems would arrive.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a statement: “I value the friendly relations between Russia and Ethiopia.” Analyst Benedict Manzin of risk consultancy Sibylline told Al Jazeera, “Russia is also in the business of making money through arms sales.” Putin said bilateral trade exceeded $1.3bn in January-September, more than twice the figure for all of 2025.

The delivery comes amid renewed fighting in Tigray, a separate rebellion in Amhara and concerns about a possible conflict with Eritrea. Fighting between Ethiopia’s federal army and Tigrayan forces intensified in late September, unravelling the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement. Government troops entered Mekelle earlier in October, and Addis Ababa installed a six-month caretaker administration, but rebels vow continued fighting.