Ethiopia’s Military Expansion and Strategic Goals
Ethiopia, home to one of East Africa’s most powerful militaries, has been actively modernizing its armed forces to solidify its regional dominance and protect vital infrastructure like the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) is also strengthening its capabilities to manage ongoing internal conflicts in Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, and Afar.
Key allies such as Russia, Türkiye, China, and the UAE have played a crucial role in Ethiopia’s military expansion by supplying advanced weaponry, including drones, fighter jets, and missile systems. Türkiye notably supported Ethiopia during the Tigray conflict by providing drones that helped prevent the capital, Addis Ababa, from falling to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Ethiopia’s Growing Drone Arsenal
Ethiopia has built a substantial fleet of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), sourced primarily from Türkiye, Iran, and the UAE. The ENDF operates:
Turkish Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci drones
Iranian Mohajer-6 drones
Chinese Wing Loong-1 and Wing Loong-2 drones
These drones have become a critical component of Ethiopia’s military strategy, providing reconnaissance and combat capabilities. The UAE has also supplied Al-Tareq lightweight precision-guided munitions for use with these UAVs.
Strengthening Ethiopia’s Air Force
In early 2024, Ethiopia acquired Russian Su-30K Flanker multirole fighter jets, which are equipped with advanced avionics, radar systems, and electronic warfare capabilities. These jets add to Ethiopia’s existing fleet of around 20 Su-27 fighters, along with older MiG-23 aircraft, Su-25 ground-attack jets, and L-39 trainer jets.
Advanced Missile and Artillery Systems
Ethiopia has invested heavily in missile and artillery systems, securing:
Chinese M20 short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) – with a 280 km range and 400 kg warhead.
Chinese A200 Multiple Launcher Rocket System (MLRS)
Chinese PHL-03 MLRS with 12 launch tubes for 300mm artillery rockets
Chinese SH-15 self-propelled howitzers (over 32 units procured in 2023).
Russian 2S19 Msta self-propelled guns and Soviet-era artillery systems.
These acquisitions significantly boost Ethiopia’s firepower, making it one of the strongest artillery forces in East Africa.
Ethiopia’s Tank and Armored Vehicle Fleet
The ENDF operates an estimated 600-700 tanks, including:
T-72 main battle tanks
North Korean Ch’ŏnma tanks
T-62 and T-55 medium tanks
Additionally, Ethiopia has upgraded its Soviet-era armored vehicles and introduced new Chinese and Emirati military vehicles, such as the Type 89 tracked AFVs, WZ-551 APCs, and Israeli Thunder & Wolf APCs.
Electronic Warfare and Air Defense Systems
Ethiopia has enhanced its electronic warfare capabilities with Russian Moslava-1A COMINT systems and Krasukha-S4 jamming systems, which can disrupt radars and satellites. The country has also invested in advanced air defense, including:
Russian Pantsir-S1/S2 self-propelled air defense systems
Chinese HQ-64 surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) (unverified reports)
Soviet-era S-75 and S-125 air defense systems
Ethiopia also operates various early warning radars, including Ukrainian ST-68UM and Soviet-era P-18 and Kolchuga systems.
Ethiopia’s Domestic Defense Industry
Ethiopia has made strides in local defense production. The country recently unveiled the Tsehay-2 jet, a locally assembled trainer and light attack aircraft with advanced targeting systems and multiple hardpoints for munitions. Ethiopia has also developed the Negash UAV project, an indigenous version of the Russian Kronstadt Orion drone, alongside other attack and suicide drones produced in collaboration with Turkish engineers.
Ethiopia’s ongoing military modernization has positioned it as one of East Africa’s most formidable military powers. With continued acquisitions of advanced weaponry and a growing domestic defense industry, Ethiopia is strengthening its military to address both internal security threats and regional strategic objectives