Ethiopia has revealed its latest additions to its air force: a state-of-the-art Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet and a sophisticated Turkish Akinci combat drone. The new weapons were officially handed over to the Ethiopian air force in a ceremony attended by top military officials, including the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, and the Air Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Yilma Merdassa.
The Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet is a multirole combat aircraft that can perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. It is equipped with advanced avionics, radar, and electronic warfare systems. It can carry a variety of weapons, such as air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, bombs, rockets, and gun pods.
The Akinci combat drone is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle that can perform reconnaissance, surveillance, and strike missions. It is armed with high-precision laser-guided MAM-L munitions from Roketsan and possibly with the CATS electro-optical/infrared targeting system from Aselsan. It can also launch other types of locally made munitions, such as the SOM cruise missile from Roketsan.
Akinci can also carry a wide range of weapons on an external suspension, including the MAM-L, MAM-C, Bozok precision-guided munitions developed by Rocketan, CIRIT and L-UMTAS guided missiles, MK-81, MK-82, MK-83 aerial bombs. It is planned to integrate other weapons on board, including the SOM-A cruise missile with a range of 240 km and guided missiles Gökdoğan (Merlin), and Bozdoğan (Peregrine) air-to-air missiles.
The Akinci combat drone can fly to an altitude of more than 11,000 m, with an endurance of 25 hours. It can be equipped with a Turkish AESA radar. The Akinci combat drone is one of the most advanced in the world, and Ethiopia is the third foreign country to operate it, after Pakistan and Libya.
It is not certain how many Akinci drones Ethiopia procured under the terms of the contract signed with the Baykar firm. However, it appears that the Akıncı to be acquired by Ethiopia is an A configuration. While the Bayraktar Akıncı A has 900 HP total engine power with two 450 HP engines, the Akıncı B has 1500 HP total engine power with two 750 HP engines. Baykar is also on the AKINCI C, which has a total engine power of 1900 HP (two 950 HP engines). Bayraktar AKINCI C is expected to make its first flight in the near future.
Field Marshal Berhanu Jula stressed the importance of the Su-30 fighter jet and the Akinci combat drone in defending Ethiopia from potential threats. He said, “Having the best Su-30 and strategic drones in the world is crucial to thwarting attacks on our country.” He added, “The Federal Air Force is equipped with the most modern first round Su-30 fighter jets and strategic drones.” He did not specify the number of Su-30 fighter jets and Akinci combat drones that Ethiopia acquired.
Ethiopia has been expanding and modernizing its air force in recent years, with the purchase of other unmanned aerial vehicles, such as the Bayraktar TB2 from Turkey, the Wing Loong from China, and the Qods Mohajer-6 from Iran. Ethiopia has used these drones against the Tigray People’s Liberation Forces, a rebel group that has been fighting the federal government since November 2020. Ethiopia will likely deploy the newly acquired Su-30 fighter jet and Akinci combat drone for similar purposes and operations.
The acquisition of the Su-30 fighter jet and the Akinci combat drone also follows the earlier announcement by Alexander Mikheyev, the Director General of the Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, that Russia and Ethiopia were in talks for the supply of 18 Su-30 fighters. The deal involved India returning 18 Su-30 variants to Russia in 2003 due to a lack of modernization, and Ethiopia expressing interest in buying them in July, 2023. Mikheyev said that Ethiopia proposed an alternative that involved upgrading the combat capabilities, enhancing the specifications, and providing advanced tactics for missiles, both land and sea.
The backdrop of this procurement involves India returning 18 Su-30 variants to Russia in 2003 due to a lack of modernization, prompting discussions with Ethiopia in July, 2023. Mikheyev outlined the consultations, stating that Ethiopia proposed an alternative focused on upgrading combat capabilities, enhancing specifications, and providing advanced tactics for missiles, both land and sea. They consist of ten Su-30MK and eight Su-30K fighters. “If the customer is willing to fund operations, we are ready to make repairs, upgrade and deliver the aircraft within four to six months,” Mikheyev said. At present, four ex-Indian Su-30MKIs are being refurbished.
Rosoboronexport officials confirmed the initiation of repairs for four Su-30K aircraft at a domestic aircraft plant. Mikheyev expressed readiness to undertake the comprehensive upgrade and modernization of all 18 Su-30K aircraft within a timeframe of 4 to 6 months, pending the receipt of financial resources from the Ethiopian side.
This acquisition, complementing the Ethiopian Air Force’s current fleet of 17 Su-27 models and preceding generations of jet fighters like MiG-23, MiG-21, and Su-25, signals the Addis Ababa’s ongoing dedication to fortifying its defense capabilities.
“We proposed to modernise them in order to improve their tactical and technical characteristics and equip modern air-to-ground missiles” said the deputy general director of the Russian defense export agency Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheyev.
The Su-30 fighter jet and the Akinci combat drone are expected to boost Ethiopia’s air power and deterrence in the region, as well as enhance its cooperation with Turkey and Russia, two of its strategic partners.