Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi traveled to Moscow last week to advance the purchase of Russia’s Su-35 fighter jet. The trip came after Egypt reopened its military procurement file with Russia, which had been frozen in Cairo for years. But while Egypt was among the first countries to request the Russian fighter jet, when el-Sisi arrived in Moscow he discovered that his rival, Ethiopia, had beaten him to it.
While the Egyptian president was in Moscow, Ethiopia announced it had received 12 Su-35 fighter jets plus four S-400 air defense systems. Ethiopia’s official news agency quoted Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed saying the acquisition of the fighter jets and air defense systems strengthens the armed forces’ ability to defend airspace and confront potential threats, allowing the country to protect its security interests and contribute to regional stability.
The news agency’s announcement was apparently aimed directly at Egypt, with which Ethiopia has been locked in conflict for years over the Nile River. Ethiopia built a dam on the Nile that blocks the river’s normal flow and directly harms Egypt’s water supply. El-Sisi, a former military general, has previously claimed he would bomb the dam if it were completed—but even a year after construction, Ethiopia continues to stay several steps ahead of him.
But Egypt isn’t the only reason for the aircraft purchase. In recent weeks, a coalition of armed groups has organized in the north of the country and threatened to overthrow the prime minister. The groups launched a series of attacks against Ethiopia’s army and threatened to bring the 2022 civil war back to the territory. After Ethiopia’s army calmed the confrontations, the aircraft purchase is meant to deter the groups from attacking again.
Additionally, Eritrea and Somalia, Ethiopia’s neighbors to the north and east, are also in a tense situation with Addis Ababa. Ethiopia’s relationship with tiny Somaliland greatly disturbs the government in Mogadishu, Somalia, while Eritrea still fears an Ethiopian invasion of its territory to create convenient sea access.