Ethiopia is collaborating with Russia to rebuild its navy, following a cooperation agreement for training signed during a recent visit by a Russian delegation. This marks a continuation of Ethiopia’s efforts to modernize its naval capabilities, initially supported by France. The partnership comes amidst Ethiopia’s strategic push for maritime access and reflects a broader trend of strengthening naval defense interests.
Ethiopia is taking significant steps to revitalize its navy, guided by a renewed focus on gaining access to seaport facilities. A delegation from the Russian Navy, led by Admiral Vladimir Vorobyev, recently visited the Ethiopian Navy facilities and training center in Bishoftu, near Addis Ababa. During this visit, both nations signed a cooperation agreement aimed at training and enhancing the capacity of the Ethiopian Navy, marking a new chapter in their naval collaboration.
This partnership will support Ethiopia in modernizing its naval forces. Commodore Jamal Tufisa, the Deputy Commander responsible for operations in the Ethiopian Navy, stated that the agreement would facilitate ongoing efforts to fortify naval capabilities and ensure the protection of Ethiopia’s interests in international waters. Ethiopia’s naval history dates back to the 1950s but was dismantled after Eritrea gained independence in 1993, leaving the nation landlocked. However, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has since prioritized the restoration of the navy, initially seeking assistance from France in 2018.
The collaboration with France led to a defense cooperation agreement, establishing a framework for military support to restore the Ethiopian Navy. Recent developments saw the Ethiopian Navy conduct a graduation ceremony for personnel trained in essential skills such as navigation and engineering. This training was facilitated by both domestic and foreign instructors. The new agreement with Russia illustrates Ethiopia’s desire to diversify its partnerships in enhancing maritime capabilities.
This cooperation with Russia aligns with the country’s search for a permanent naval base in the Indian Ocean. Reports revealed that Sudan had no objections to a potential Russian naval base in Port Sudan. Nevertheless, the ongoing civil conflict in Sudan may hinder any progress towards establishing such a base in the near future.
In summary, Ethiopia is decisively working towards revitalizing its navy through international partnerships, notably with Russia. This collaboration comes amidst Ethiopia’s broader strategy to secure maritime access and modernize naval capabilities, underscoring the importance of regional and international dynamics in defense matters. The agreements with Russia and prior discussions with France highlight Ethiopia’s commitment to rebuilding its naval forces, which ceased to exist due to geopolitical changes in the region.
Original Source: maritime-executive.com
