# Ethiopia says it received Russian Su-35 jets, S-400 air defence systems to follow

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-10-28 16:40 UTC · Category: World

## Executive Summary
Ethiopia has officially taken delivery of 12 Russian Su-35 fighter jets and is moving to acquire S-400 air defense systems.

## Intelligence Brief
Ethiopia has announced the receipt of 12 Su-35 fighter jets manufactured by Russia. This delivery marks a significant expansion of the nation's aerial capabilities. In addition to the arrival of the fighter jets, Ethiopia has placed an order for four batteries of S-400 air defense systems from Russia. The stated objective for the acquisition of these specific air defense systems is to serve as a deterrent against potential air attacks. This sequence of military acquisitions highlights a concrete shift in the hardware currently available to the Ethiopian military. Coverage of these developments has been reported across several international and domestic outlets.


Al Jazeera and The Moscow Times both confirmed the delivery of the 12 Su-35 jets. The Miami Herald also reported that Ethiopia says it has taken delivery of these specific fighter aircraft. Meanwhile, Army Recognition detailed the specific order for the four S-400 batteries. From a broader strategic perspective, Fana Media Corporation S.C has reported that the partnership between Ethiopia and Russia is now entering a new strategic phase that extends beyond military hardware to include trade and development. This military buildup occurs within the context of a deepening bilateral relationship between Addis Ababa and Moscow. The move toward high-end Russian aviation and missile technology suggests a pivot in strategic procurement.


By integrating Su-35 jets and S-400 systems, Ethiopia is positioning itself with advanced Russian platforms designed for air superiority and territorial defense. The inclusion of trade and development goals mentioned by Fana Media Corporation S.C indicates that the defense deals are part of a wider multi-sectoral agreement between the two nations. Future developments will center on the actual delivery and deployment of the ordered S-400 air defense batteries. While the Su-35 jets have already been received, the S-400 systems are listed as a planned acquisition. Observers will be monitoring the integration of these four batteries into the Ethiopian defense network. Additionally, the specifics of the new strategic phase involving trade and development, as noted in the coverage, remain a key area for further factual updates as the partnership evolves.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Military Watch Magazine | Russian Delivers 12 Su-35 Long Range Air Superiority Fighters to the Ethiopian Air Force | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijAFBVV95cUxQbGt3ZVl3OHNnNlRkZXJZNGNEeDFMVTlVS083T3JFNkRrWlUtemFxVkl5cjVzYjBzeFVLdWdEWklqMXpSRnBoUGJzbVl4Mkh1a0Y0dEFwWEk5VnJUcXNVT3Z6TldVZFJTOXczNUh2blBLRWRXNzkzNjRmNlBWNzNBMlVVYU5MZ05TZEt1dQ?oc=5) |
| Defensehere | Ethiopia receives first 12 Su-35 fighter jets from Russia, PM says | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihgFBVV95cUxQZlFad2F5dHdlTk10anlhelIxVUs1V0FRM1FfSjRvWk9yZVlUaUFUclRSLXVYRV9ybDNrZUNqby1KcDJzV1ZVRXVWdDAwbkwzQ2FnNXJMRHdNYW14bzBxcWxJYVJoNUpmOUw5clgxZWJYamlWTTNrS2R5azNETlFkNlRMQnBQQQ?oc=5) |
| صوت الإمارات | Russia delivers 12 Su-35 fighter jets to Ethiopia and offers to mediate in the Eritrea conflict | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi4AFBVV95cUxQcFVrME14ZXdybkppcW50YXBJX3hFWUJYSEw4aUZLT3ppR0hNZEpqdl93eEEyc3YwbXRXdmZCck9FeEsxWXVNUWU1WE5adGdxRVZPdFFGdEdPbWNOcHZqd3NzNVU1U2pvSHhkcHRtMndfMzctbXJmcVVOWGRzeXo0UDNNbVMxSmI3Q1ZBX0NWRHU3dUpUeWZ4eVFwa0tGMVBRcTVYcmpEdzVxdXpPYXBlMXJPU1VvejZ1bTNSdk5CenpTSDlNRGdMVnlwS1gwbmMyb1RrSWtyWEFZc2ZmaFJFbw?oc=5) |
| Business Insider Africa | Ethiopia takes delivery of 12 Su-35 Russian fighter jets ahead of schedule as regional tensions rise | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMizwFBVV95cUxNc1RIcTJMWm9tYnNVZHVxZ2dFQm1kVERNX1E3SXZ0eEVsdU5MZDJKOWRCNG8xamJQQ241M0dRLWV2OGtKcFM5Ylp4Vkg4WDM0RlptYkt4dGNUZVlheGIxaGNSSHZNWmZHMmZkaWpJOXFRZlJBSkEwTVQzRVJPVW56bFNzZi1CeE1WZXNxek55a21fLW5qOGF1Si14RWhWX2VGVWlxTEh0eFFVelh2WnI0Qkt4Rkttc3J0TG9CZk01MUJ0TE4waV9yYmlnUmdSVjQ?oc=5) |
| Army Recognition | Ethiopia orders four batteries of S-400 air defense systems from Russia to deter potential air attacks | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi6gFBVV95cUxNQlpXMzBoeXdnYktIN0FlWXRCQVNVUW5tcS1yazJWcVMxWVFJREh3SmJNbjBYQURVUldCNEVQcm1FclhQX1RaT1ltbnQ0YTlSR1ZwTUozVXVzTkU1YUp1QzU0ZE5ReWI4YVBGRG80bDNRNkZYa2doajBON2FZTnlHQnZ0Rm9ySnRTdXRQSmpFX1VYUW5sQTI4VmJoZjZmZE92UW5fT0x0Z3VfVC1fNEZpVEVzODBjbDUxZ1hDblAwdXdWM2hXVnlzNVNKeWZrN0UwS0dUeWhENHBpbUw5Ty1IQ3pUU1psMXZzSGc?oc=5) |
| Al Jazeera | Ethiopia receives 12 Russian Su-35 jets, plans S-400 acquisition | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqAFBVV95cUxNSkJoSDBtejRNazdrenF0cS1BU05CT1hodFExUW1FTHp4LVR4RG96QlVxRURvSlAwVVlPTkVUMTJHTDdBU1A0STVlLXc0NHRleWZfOWpEYmx2aFFuWV9aeldFWEVDSnRma1JjQ3pzMVptcC1WSEJZVVRWUmNXMEp6cUhNS1BKaW1aUS1iQmlBYTdHb3N2S1h2emRKaDlMdnppSjFFNTJTUknSAa4BQVVfeXFMT2E4NjFKUUU1bElsQ1E2TU1NMUJuSF94VkpJZGlINWdTUWtEZHQwRElnRWtCUGZVNkJUc3J5aTdJNGRldFJ3RGRVNlNnN01GeW12QVppanFXLW5HZkVzLUpEOHd4dkpheE53TTBpMTNNNzJ6M1VMX2xSU01uRWVqMnBsTVA0WVlGQlpnNExzckhIeUlKM2pzVEQya3p6WVl0YndwNE9lZ1h5VDh) |
| Fana Media Corporation S.C | Ethiopia–Russia Partnership Enters a New Strategic Phase Across Defence, Trade and Development | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiygFBVV95cUxQU1pYX05vZU0ycHVGRExJTTUyOWo4NUx5OVRYdllOV1VJRkF4X09TYnpudEJGRFczUTcwcUFaNzQzVU44NjZnVnAtNkk4RkE2MnpxdkNrdHEzaW1lRzh1RzF0dHJlYUZOUG9oaFMzSVpKaWVFQ1M1azdXX0h0WUV2WlNZYXZCYUdPU1VDZ2M0TnVkMURyTkRzeFJqSDBBbl9DelhWLWZNREJxTEdRMVF5SklrTFd1ZlhhZjJfbklPaWhMRU0wVXFNOXdB?oc=5) |
| The Moscow Times | Ethiopia Receives 12 Russian Su-35 Fighter Jets | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinAFBVV95cUxObk5neWk2YkpEbkttSTZOR3B5OXBzcDhfQW9NWkdCMVVaSE14N1hYWUpMT3VxbzV4Y2hiWUVwb2djX1pibXI0dG5CejJKWDNtZlNiRE9ETUVjbFdnWXpGWFVMbVIwT3FMSFRRME0tUWVfemRad2J4MjBkaDl1ZV9KbVZ5ZzJLaWpmWkMzWTFZVURYR1NvWEZEWHhERXY?oc=5) |
| Miami Herald | Ethiopia says it has taken delivery of 12 Russian Su-35 fighter jets | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMifkFVX3lxTE9SUVQwRXBiMjlkTmptMGgxX19yNzFnN29FLU4zbTFyU1JmYTVQZVllRzJ5cWRLcnFZVTI3SHJ4ZjY1bi1LdGdXT3V5b0tKTVYwTlpoeDJWNERsdG5KcEEtYVVFTmRnVkNZRDNiMFJBaWR1RFhITms5amVEMU1wZw?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-10-28/ethiopia-says-it-received-russian-su-35-jets-s-400-air-defence-systems-to-follow*