Why is Russia sending fighter jets and air defences to Ethiopia?

What happened: Ethiopia received 12 Russian Su-35 fighter jets and will acquire four S-400 air defence batteries, a deal Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced in Moscow during the Russia-Africa Summit. Key numbers: 12 Su-35 jets delivered; four S-400 batteries to follow; bilateral trade exceeded $1.3bn in January-September; Russia supplied 15 percent of African major weapons imports in Why it matters: Experts say the deal strengthens Moscow's foothold in the Horn of Africa and gives Ethiopia more options among competing powers, while air defences may not counter small, cheap drones.

Ethiopia received 12 Russian Su-35 fighter jets and will acquire four S-400 air defence batteries, a deal Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced in Moscow during the Russia-Africa Summit.

Experts say the deal strengthens Moscow's foothold in the Horn of Africa and gives Ethiopia more options among competing powers, while air defences may not counter small, cheap drones.