Ethiopia has acquired Russian-made fighter jets and air defense systems, officials confirmed, as fighting resumed last month in the northern Tigray region. The purchase deepens Addis Ababa's long-standing defense relationship with Moscow. No contract value has been disclosed.

Ethiopia has taken delivery of Russian-made fighter jets and air defense systems, officials confirmed this week, as renewed fighting swept through the northern Tigray region last month. The acquisition marks one of Addis Ababa's most significant military purchases since a 2022 ceasefire paused a two-year civil war that had killed hundreds of thousands of people. The deal underscores Russia's expanding footprint across African defense markets, a trend already visible in Moscow's recent outreach at a Russia-Africa summit and its recruitment of African fighters for the war in Ukraine.

Ethiopia has historically relied on Soviet- and Russian-designed aircraft, and officials have not disclosed the contract's value or the exact number of jets delivered. Analysts warn that modern air power could tilt the battlefield balance in Tigray, where federal forces and regional fighters have clashed sporadically since the fragile ceasefire. Humanitarian organizations have voiced concern that an uptick in aerial capability could put civilians at greater risk if the fighting continues to escalate in the coming weeks.