Ethiopian Air Force Receives Russian Sukhoi Su-30 Aircraft and Turkish Akıncı Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
On January 16, the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (FDRE Defense Force) received Russian-made 4th generation Sukhoi Su-30 fighters and Turkish Akıncı unmanned aerial vehicles with a ceremony at Harar Meda air base in Bishoftu. The event was attended by high-ranking military officials, including Marshal Berhanu Jula, Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, and Lieutenant General Yilma Merdassa, Commander-in-Chief of the Ethiopian Air Force.
Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, Marshal Berhanu, said in his statement regarding the delivery: “FDRE air forces are equipped with the most modern first round Su-30 fighters and Akıncı strategic unmanned aerial vehicles. We will continue to equip our airspace with modern weapons that can protect against all kinds of attacks.”
Lieutenant General Yilma Merdassa, Commander-in-Chief of the Ethiopian Air Force, stated that the FDRE Air Force not only acquired advanced weapons, but also enhanced its existing capabilities with trained personnel and the latest combat infrastructure. Lieutenant General Yilma also pointed out that that the newly acquired modern fighter jets are capable of destroying enemy targets both in the air and on the ground simultaneously.
In its announcement, the Ethiopian National Defense Forces did not specify how many Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft and Akinci unmanned aerial vehicles the FDRE Air Force had acquired. The FDRE Defense Forces published images showing double-seater Su-30 aircraft (tail numbers 2401 and 2402) and one Akıncı unmanned aerial vehicle. It was also observed that these new equipment were not yet equipped with any weapons or ammunition.
In addition to the information mentioned above, details on Ethiopia’s purchase contracts with Russian and Turkish authorities for Su-30 fighter jets and Akinci unmanned aerial vehicles were not disclosed. As a result, it is unknown whether the deliveries cover the full contract or if additional batches of equipment would be delivered to Ethiopia in the future. In any case, this delivery represents a significant step in modernizing Ethiopia’s Air Force, which currently relies heavily on Soviet-era aircraft such as the MiG-21 and MiG-23.
Ethiopia had previously purchased Bayraktar TB2 from Turkey, Wing Loong from China, and Qods Mohajer-6 unmanned aerial vehicles from Iran to modernize its air force, which relied on outdated Soviet-era aircraft. These vehicles were actively involved in Ethiopia’s operations against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. Ethiopia is expected to employ its newly acquired Su-30 fighters and Akinci unmanned aerial vehicles for similar targets and operations. Furthermore, the new equipment will act as a deterrent to the military tensions between Ethiopia and its neighbor Somalia.