Ethiopia receives Russian Su-35 fighters a year early, with S-400s set to follow
3 min read
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said yesterday that the country has received its order for 12 Russian Sukhoi Su-35S air superiority fighters. There is some confusion over whether the delivery was a batch of the 12 ordered, or the whole group of 12.
Ethiopia takes delivery of first Su-35S fighter jets
According to reporting by Reuters, Ahmed said that the Su-35S deliveries are a year early and that Ethiopia would also be receiving Russian S-400 air defence systems later on.
The announcement comes as federal Ethiopian forces launch an offensive in the northern Tigray region and tensions with neighbouring Eritrea are at a very high level.
The broader Ethiopian geopolitical context is extremely complicated. Reuters has reported that Ethiopia hosted a secret camp to train fighters for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), although Addis Ababa has denied involvement.
Ethiopia’s relationship with Egypt is likewise tense, with Cairo previously threatening to bomb the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile. Egypt is again furious with Ethiopia as it plans to build more dams on the Nile, with some Egyptian politicians threatening military action.
S-400s and Su-35S could plausibly allow Ethiopia to better protect its dams on the Nile, while also helping to tilt the balance of power with Eritrea more in its favour.
The 2025 Black Mirror leak
In October 2025, AGN reported on a leak by Black Mirror that showed Su-35 fighter jet sales to Algeria, Iran, and Ethiopia, with Su-57 fighter jets also sold to Algeria.
One year on, the Su-35S and Su-57s are being delivered to Algeria, and the first Su-35S deliveries to Ethiopia have been officially announced. However, earlier reported deliveries of Su-35S fighter jets to Iran have not materialized, and the type was apparently absent from the 2026 war.
Confirmation on what I was the first to report on Aug 2022 about the contract between Iran and Russia for the purchase of Su-35 fighters. The contract includes 48 Su-35 fighters for 2026-2028. H/t: @GeorgeN28581 https://t.co/AubCzgGzNX
— Mehdi H. (@mhmiranusa) October 3, 2025
The leaked document showed 48 Su-35 fighter jet sales to Iran (listed as “364”), 12 Su-57 and 14 Su-34 fighter jet sales to Algeria (listed as “012”), and six Su-35s for Ethiopia (listed as “231”). It appears the number for Algeria has since grown to 12.
CAATSA and the ex-Egyptian pool of Su-35s
The US’s CAATSA act sanctions countries purchasing significant weapons (e.g., fighter jets) from Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The act pressured countries to cancel or abandon contracts and plans to purchase Russian fighter jets and helicopters.
Egypt had contracted to purchase Su-35s, and around 24 examples had been built when Egypt canceled the contract. This left Russia stranded with aircraft without a customer.
Some of these appear to have been sold to Algeria, with fighter jets delivered still displaying Egyptian camouflage paint. More ex-Egyptian planes were reported to have been earmarked for Iran, but following Operation Epic Fury, the status of that is unclear.
Interesting report indicating Algeria has purchased at least some of the Russian Su-35s originally built for Egypt and later reported to be sought by Iran. https://t.co/0soV9aOopn
— John Hardie (@JohnH105) April 9, 2025
It is unknown if some or all of the Ethiopian Su-35S fighter jets are new-builds specifically for Ethiopia or if they are from the pool of aircraft built for Egypt. Ethiopia signed an initial contract for six examples in 2022, after Egypt had pulled the plug on the Flankers.
Given the tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia, there would be some degree of irony if they are Flankers originally built for Egypt.
It is also unclear if the purchase of Su-35Ss and S-400s will trigger US sanctions under CAATSA. The US successfully pressured Egypt, the Philippines, and Indonesia to abandon plans to purchase Russian fighters and helicopters.
The US has carved out a special exemption for India and seemingly turned a blind eye to Algeria. It remains to be seen if the US will take action against Ethiopia.
