Ethiopia’s air force is about to get a massive upgrade – PM warns rivals
Abiy linked military preparedness with economic growth, citing Ethiopia’s 9.2% GDP expansion last year and a projected 10.3% growth in 2026.
Mogadishu (Somali Report) - Ethiopia is set to double the capacity of its Air Force and transition to fifth-generation combat capabilities by 2030, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced during the 90th anniversary of the Ethiopian Air Force.
The Prime Minister issued a stern warning to regional and global actors against challenging Ethiopia’s sovereignty and strategic interests.
Abiy emphasized that Ethiopia has outgrown outdated perceptions of its military, describing the country as an emerging power determined to safeguard its national interests.
“You do not know Ethiopia in depth,” he said. “Ethiopia has surpassed what you know — in wealth, history, and capability. It is a growing country, a symbol of Africa’s renaissance.”
Highlighting the modernization plan, the Prime Minister noted that the government has identified a clear budget and funding sources to double the Air Force’s capacity within five years, transitioning from fourth- to fifth-generation combat technology.
He stressed that modern weapons alone are not enough and called for the training of skilled, patriotic personnel to sustain Ethiopia’s military legacy.
Abiy linked military preparedness with economic growth, citing Ethiopia’s 9.2% GDP expansion last year and a projected 10.3% growth in 2026.
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He warned that a nation with strong economic potential must maintain a capable defense apparatus to protect its progress.
“If a house has ten doors and only nine are closed, closing the nine becomes in vain,” he said, underlining the need for balance between military, economic, and political capacity.
The Prime Minister also addressed Ethiopia’s regional challenges, asserting that any attempts to undermine the country would fail.
“Ethiopia does not hand over its own out of naivety or for short-term victory. If anything is taken from her, she will not stop settling the account,” he warned.
Meanwhile, Belarusian unmanned aerial vehicle systems and electronic warfare equipment, tested in Ethiopia, are already operational in the region, according to Belarus’s State Military-Industrial Committee.
Plans for joint assembly facilities were also discussed during Abiy’s visit to Aviation Expo 2026 in Minsk, signaling deepening international collaboration in Ethiopia’s defense modernization program.
Ethiopia’s Air Force upgrade signals a bold new chapter for the country, combining advanced technology, strategic planning, and national pride to secure its role as a growing power in the Horn of Africa.
About the Author
Osman Hassan is a Senior Editor at the Somali Report based in Nairobi with over 15 years of experience in journalism. He has worked with local and international media outlets in Somalia and is an award-winning journalist. His reporting focuses on politics, security, and regional affairs in the Horn of Africa.