Ethiopia has received its first 12 Russian-made Su-35 fighter jets, classified as 4++ generation aircraft, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced.

“Under the agreement previously signed with the Russian government, today we received the first 12 Su-35 4++ generation fighter jets,” Abiy wrote on X.

The Ethiopian prime minister did not specify the total number of aircraft to be delivered under the agreement.

Abiy also thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for facilitating the delivery of the jets one year ahead of the agreed schedule.

The Ethiopian leader said that the acquisition places Ethiopia among the leading countries in sub-Saharan Africa in terms of equipping its air force with modern combat aircraft.