The national reform implemented in Ethiopia since 2018 has brought radical and revolutionary changes in all sectors of the country. The attention given to the development and transformation of science, innovation, and technology and the realization of digital transformation have brought profound achievements.
In 2018, the Security Sector Reform (SSR) was introduced as part of the national reform to modernize the security sector and make it a resilient, independent and impartial sector, to make it free from political affiliation and equipped with modern administration and integrating the latest technologies. The SSR transformed in creating and building resilient security sector, police institutions, the military and the intelligence sectors. Now, the reform in the security sector turns its face from technology transfer to manufacturing technological equipment at home, which strengthens the capability and ability of the security sector to defend and protect the sovereignty of Ethiopia.
Currently, Ethiopia is busy in manufacturing military products by establishing technological manufacturing technologies at home. During the eve of the 89th anniversary of the Ethiopian Air Force Day three months ago, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) launched a locally developed helicopter named “Tsehay 2.0”, manufactured by the Ethiopian Air Force. During the period, PM Abiy stated that the Ethiopian Air Force is striding towards achieving its goal of becoming the largest air force in Africa in the coming five years.
“Equipped with advanced technology to carry out its missions effectively, this achievement underscores the Air Force’s progress toward realizing its vision of becoming the largest air force in Africa by 2030,” Prime Minister Abiy stated while launched the locally developed “Tsehay 2.0” military helicopter during the period said praising the success of military sector reforms in equipped with advanced military technologies including building its capability by manufacturing modern technological materials locally.
And last week, while visiting the Hamicho Ammunition Engineering Industries, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that Ethiopia had already started manufacturing of ammunition products for its local demand as well as started export of ammunition products to different countries. “Ethiopia is a big country in terms of size, history, population, and history. It is important to ensure this big nation’s continuity by strengthening its defense capability and capacity,” PM Abiy stated underscoring the current efforts, the vision is to realize this vision of building a resilient and strong defense force equipped with modern technologies. So far, within three months, the ammunition industry has secured over 30 million USD by exporting ammunition products to different countries. He added that many countries are signing contracts to buy ammunition from Ethiopia.
“Unless Ethiopia builds such strategic capabilities in the defense industry, it may face surprise attacks at any time that can destroy the stability and peace of the country by enemies,” PM Abiy stated.
Similarly, Prime Minister Abiy inaugurated SkyWin Aeronautics Industries, a local company that manufactures unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for both civilian and military purposes. The new industry, which is part of the nation’s wide initiatives of realizing self-reliance in the technology sector in the nation’s security sector, lays a new foundation in Ethiopia’s defense industry. For the Prime Minister, the new technology manufacturing industry develops the capacity of not only producing and utilizing drones for local demand but also to export to other African countries.
Following inaugurating the drone manufacturing industry, Prime Minister Abiy said that “Today, as we inaugurate Sky Win Aeronautics Industries, we recognize that the locally manufactured drones before us were unimaginable just a few years ago,” emphasizing the nation’s ability to produce drones with diverse capabilities, designed and built by own young professionals. “This is a significant milestone for Ethiopia’s defense industry,” he added. Appreciating and applauding the current development, PM Abiy underscores the need to make it sustainable through investing in research and expanding market potentials for the products and strengthening local production of smart sensor technologies.
For the premier Ethiopia is developing these capabilities in the military industry, along with the advancements at Homicho Ammunition Engineering Industry, the local ammunition manufacturing industry, – not to fuel conflict, but to prevent it through building strong and resilient military capability. Ethiopia is working to secure peace and stability in the face of belligerent actors through deterrence and owning advanced technological capabilities in the military industry.
Through the continuous reform measures and investments to build deterrence, according to Prime Minister Abiy, Ethiopia already joins manufacturing of the fourth-generation military technology products. “As we are entering to the fourth generation military war, where AI, UAV and smart sensors are playing game changing role in wars, it is a high time for Ethiopia as a big country to own latest technologies in the military sector to ensure and secure its national sovereignty from any threat,” Abiy underlines mentioned the decision to build these manufacturing plants came after discussing with senior military commanders few years ago.
For the premier, just few years ago it was tough for Ethiopia to buy drones from the market as there are different interests and conspiracies in the military industry. Similarly, it is also difficult to find the best products from the market. Not only that, but he also said, even after owning drones, it was difficult for Ethiopia to manage, operate, and repair when it is necessary. “But today, Ethiopia has already started manufacturing of drones equipped with AI and smart sensors, including suicide drones at home, which is a significant move, when it seemed impossible a few years ago,” the premier reiterates, saying “this development makes Ethiopians proud.”
Ethiopia was dependent on imported ammunition for just over two years and in 2022, Ethiopia decided to install a local ammunition industry to manufacture ammunition locally. “Today, Ethiopia is manufacturing all types of ammunition products thanks to the Homicho Ammunition Engineering Industry and the factory is manufacturing ammunition not only to fill local demand but also for export purpose,” Abiy stated, adding “only within three months, Ethiopia has secured more than 30 million USD from ammunition export.” Currently, by developing its capability to modernize the nation’s defense industry, Ethiopia has already started manufacturing drones.
Manufacturing of drones at home with the own citizens capacity is a landmark success for Ethiopia, PM Abiy stated appreciating the skills, ability and resilience of Ethiopian professionals in the industry. “Experiencing such development in Ethiopia within a short period is a surprise. It was too recent that we decided to equip our defense to own drone technology as we understand the radical change in the military industry,” Abiy added. Proceeding from understanding the concept of drone technology within a short period, Ethiopia started manufacturing of the drones using its human power and resources.
Manufacturing UAV drones would strengthen the nation’s defense capability, to halt threats, to strengthen information gathering, to develop attacking capability and to control the enemy’s activities in battlefields. For Abiy, these drones are game changers in battlefields in the current world.
Manufacturing drones at home has multipurpose functions and according to PM Abiy, ‘Made in Ethiopia’ drones come with their unique features compared to the imported drones. First, the local drones are designed to be operated at all altitudes and tested at high altitude areas most of the time above 2000 meters above sea level. As the drones are designed to fly at high altitude areas, they are more efficient and provide additional function for low altitude areas. And, secondly, these drones are supported by AI and smart sensors and render a communication system, including satellites. Similarly, every drone is equipped with an anti-drone. These unique features make the ‘Made in Ethiopia’ drones suitable to fly in all altitude areas and to provide their functions effectively.
BY DARGIE KAHSAY
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 14 MARCH 2025
