Addis Ababa:Ethiopia's recent acquisition of Russian Su-35 fighter jets has significantly enhanced its military capabilities and regional influence. Edy Cohen, an Israeli researcher and journalist with Israel's Channel 14, highlighted this development as a source of anxiety for Egypt and other Arab nations.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Cohen noted that Egyptian and Arab media are closely monitoring Ethiopia's military advancements. Egypt is particularly concerned about Ethiopia's successful acquisition of these advanced fighter jets, a move that Egypt had attempted but ultimately abandoned due to American pressure and threats of severe sanctions from Washington.
Cohen explained that while the U.S. had warned Egypt against progressing in its military agreement with Moscow, leading to the abandonment of their efforts, Ethiopia managed to secure the deal with Russia by leveraging its diplomatic initiatives and international relations. This success has reportedly caused alarm in Egypt, which fears the implications of Ethiopia's strengthened air defense capabilities.
Furthermore, Cohen criticized Egyptian policies, suggesting that Egypt lacks a coherent political vision to tackle domestic and regional challenges. He pointed out that the country is facing increasing economic difficulties and questioned the Egyptian leadership's capacity to manage these issues effectively.
The acquisition of the Su-35s is part of Ethiopia's broader strategy to modernize its military infrastructure and strengthen its defense capabilities. Prime Minister Abiy emphasized the importance of robust preparation during peaceful times to protect the nation from external threats, stating that well-prepared countries are less likely to face conflicts. Ethiopia, as the first nation in Sub-Saharan Africa to employ such advanced military technology, has significantly bolstered its deterrent capabilities.
