Addis Ababa, December 16, 2023 (FBC) – In his remarks at the closing session of the 88th Anniversary of the Founding of the Ethiopian Air Force, Prime Minister and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed (PhD), stated that the efforts we have made to build infrastructure and equip the Air Force with modern equipment; to be self-sufficient in technology and to produce qualified and professional human capital is testament to the effectiveness of our reforms.
A military air show jointly presented by the air forces of Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates on the occasion showed the level we can reach if we work together. We will continue to lead Ethiopia to prosperity in all sectors.
The Premier stressed the need to build a military capacity that helps to deter any incursion from air, space and sea against the unity and sovereignty of the country.
The Premier attributed the ongoing activities to strengthen the capacity of the military to the commitment by the government to maintain and bequeath the stronger Ethiopia to the next generation.
“The ongoing reform in the military would help us to build the Greater Ethiopia not only at continental level but also globally,” the Premier underscored.
We have a historical responsibility to maintain Ethiopia’s history, attributes and the unique sign of sovereignty. So, we are building a capability that enables us to deter any attempt to derail our ongoing reforms,
“Moving forward is a duty for which we have no other option,” the Premier stressed. The country has managed to build elite force based on its new strategy, the Premier disclosed.
“The main objective of our military capacity building is to maintain peace; but we are also in a position to quickly decimate our enemies that attempt to violate the sovereignty of the nation,” the Premier underscored.
The Prime Minister extended gratitude to the military aviation professionals of the U.S, Sweden, France, Germany, Russia, Czech Republic, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Libya and United Arab Emirates for their contribution to the advancement of the Ethiopian Air Force over the past 88 years.
The closing ceremony of the 88th Anniversary of the Founding of the Ethiopian Air Force has also been graced by graduation of the first batch aviation maintenance professionals, officer candidates and military pilots who have been trained by the Ethiopian Air Force Academy.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has conferred on trophies and medals on highest-achieving graduates of the academy.
During the inaugural ceremony, the Premier also praised Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, Chief of the General Staff of the Ethiopian Defence Forces, General Abebaw Tadesse, Deputy Chief of Staff of the army and Lt Gen Yilma Merdasa, Commander of the Ethiopian Air Force and other stakeholders for their relentless efforts to realize the capabilities of the air force.
The Airshow that has been conducted as part of the celebration of the 88th Anniversary of the Founding of the Ethiopian Air Force is the first in its kind, the Premier disclosed, pledging to build the most reputable Air Force in Africa.
Commander of the Ethiopian Air Force, Lt Gen Yilma Merdasa, for his part, said the capabilities that have been demonstrated during visiting sessions to the Air Force base and the Air Show have been built over the past five years.
The Air Force has been equipped with all the necessary advanced technologies and skilled workforce, and is currently providing professional assistance to sisterly countries, he noted.
Following the reforms that have been undertaken in the military sector during the past five years, the combat readiness of the Air Force has transformed in a pragmatic manner, he added.
The Chief of the General Staff of the Ethiopian Defense Forces, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, for his part, said that the reforms conducted over the past years have brought about maximum capabilities to the Air Force.
Given the impact of regional strategic situation on Ethiopia, the global balance of power and military realities, Ethiopia has been building its military capabilities in a continuous manner, he said.
The Ethiopian National Defence Forces has been modernizing and capacitating the Air Force, the Navy, Infantry, the Cyber forces, he added.