Addis Ababa, October 28, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s ability to protect its airspace and safeguard its sovereignty depends on building credible defence capabilities before threats escalate into conflict, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said, underscoring military preparedness as a strategic necessity for preventing war and securing the country’s future.
Speaking in Moscow following the handover of the first 12 Su-35 4++ generation fighter jets to Ethiopia, PM Abiy emphasized that nations that fail to prepare during peacetime risk exposing themselves to grave dangers when crises arise.
Adequate military preparedness, he argued, strengthens a country’s ability to deter aggression, while weakness can leave it vulnerable to attack.
The Prime Minister said Ethiopia must take the necessary measures to protect its airspace and ensure that future generations inherit a country capable of defending itself.
He linked this responsibility to the country’s security environment, stressing that national defence cannot be neglected when threats and strategic competition persist.
For Ethiopia, the acquisition of advanced fighter aircraft forms part of a broader effort to strengthen its ability to respond to potential threats. PM Abiy described the Su-35 as a highly capable aircraft designed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, highlighting its role in expanding the Ethiopian Air Force’s operational capabilities.
He also pointed to the importance of developing integrated air-defence capabilities. Ethiopia is expected to receive four batteries of S-400 air-defence systems under its agreement with Russia, which the Prime Minister said would further strengthen the country’s ability to defend its airspace as the systems become operational.
PM Abiy’s remarks placed the modernization effort within a broader national-security objective: ensuring that Ethiopia has the means to protect its sovereignty rather than depend on others to guarantee its security.
He argued that a country of Ethiopia’s population, history and responsibilities must develop defence capabilities commensurate with its needs.
The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of sustained preparation and trained personnel, indicating that military modernization involves more than acquiring advanced equipment.
Building the capacity to operate and integrate these systems is essential to strengthening national defence over time.
The handover of the first 12 Su-35 fighter jets marks a new stage in Ethiopia’s military modernization. However, PM Abiy’s central message extended beyond the acquisition itself: preparedness must be built before a crisis, and credible defence capabilities are intended not simply to respond to conflict, but to help prevent it.
He congratulated the Ethiopian Air Force and citizens who want the country’s airspace protected, reaffirming the government’s stated commitment to strengthening the country’s ability to defend its sovereignty.