Su-30 'Flanker' Fighters, Akinci UAVs Join Ethiopian Arsenal

Ethiopia has bolstered its military capabilities with the recent acquisition of Sukhoi Su-30 'Flanker' fighters and Baykar Bayraktar Akıncı armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The Ethiopian National Defense Force (FDRE Defense Force) announced the arrival of the Su-30s on January 16, along with the undisclosed number of Akıncı UAVs. Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, Chief of General Staff of the FDRE Defense Force, emphasized the importance of modern weaponry to safeguard Ethiopia's airspace, reports say.

The Ethiopian Air Force (EAF) incorporated the Su-30K combat aircraft during a ceremony on January 16. Lieutenant General Yilma Merdasa, Commander of the Ethiopian Air Force, highlighted the reinforcement of the service with contemporary manpower, weapons, and combat infrastructure.

The two Su-30s (2401 and 2402) observed at the induction ceremony were reportedly originally crafted for India  (18 fighters in total, with ten Su-30MK and eight Su-30K models) between 1997 and 1999. These aircraft were returned to Russia in 2007 and replaced with Su-30MKI models. Stored for resale in Belarus in 2011, 12 were acquired by Angola in 2013 and upgraded to Su-30SM, enabling them to fire anti-ship and air-to-air missiles. Ethiopia appears to have acquired the remaining six Su-30Ks, and the delivery of the last four is pending.

The Baykar Bayraktar Akıncı UAVs, spotted in November of the preceding year, have been observed in A model configuration with two 450 hp engines. The Akıncı boasts an impressive altitude capability of 11,000 meters and a 25-hour endurance. Equipped with underwing MAM-L missiles manufactured by Roketsan, these UAVs provide Ethiopia with advanced capabilities. Video footage revealed an Akıncı adorned with an Ethiopian flag, suggesting their integration into the country's defense forces.

Since 2021, Ethiopia has been utilizing Bayraktar TB2S UAVs, in addition to Wing Loong and Qods Mohajer-6 UAVs acquired from China and Iran, against the Tigray People’s Liberation Forces. The introduction of the new Akıncı UAVs is expected to further enhance Ethiopia's combat capabilities.