Ethiopia received 12 Russian Su-35 aircraft The appearance of the Su-35 in the Ethiopian Air Force became known in January 2026 following the air show of the Black Lion at the Debra Zeit Air Base. The 4++ generation multi-role combat aircraft, designed for air superiority, includes an Irbis-E radar and thrust vectoring engines capable of hitting air, ground and sea targets. These planes will complete the existing fleet of Russian Su-27 planes. Ethiopia also previously purchased two modern Su-30K aircraft.

Ethiopia received 12 Russian Su-35 aircraft The appearance of the Su-35 in the Ethiopian Air Force became known in January 2026 following the air show of the Black Lion at the Debra Zeit Air Base. The 4++ generation multi-role combat aircraft, designed for air superiority, includes an Irbis-E radar and thrust vectoring engines capable of hitting air, ground and sea targets. These planes will complete the existing fleet of Russian Su-27 planes. Ethiopia also previously purchased two modern Su-30K aircraft.