Ethiopian National Defense Force: Difference between revisions

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! style="width:12%;"| Origins
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|T-90 || Main battle tank || 0 || {{RUS}} ||80-100 Reported TBD
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|T-72|T-72A\AV || Main battle tank || 260<ref>http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/106382/#ixzz1OtrZzLJF</ref> || {{USSR}}\{{UKR}} || First 60 with 125mm gun bought from Yemen, remaining 200 improved T-72AV with 120mm gun ordered from Ukraine in 2011.
|T-72|T-72A\AV || Main battle tank || 260<ref>http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/106382/#ixzz1OtrZzLJF</ref> || {{USSR}}\{{UKR}} || First 60 with 125mm gun bought from Yemen, remaining 200 improved T-72AV with 120mm gun ordered from Ukraine in 2011.

Revision as of 09:35, 4 July 2012

Ethiopian National Defense Force
Flag of Ethiopia
Service branchesEthiopian Army, Ethiopian Air Force, Ethiopian Navy (1955-1991)
Personnel
Military age18
Active personnel182,500 (ranked 23rd)
Expenditure
Budget$450 million (2007)
Percent of GDP2.4%
Industry
Domestic suppliersHibret Machine Tools Engineering company
Gafat Armament Engineering Complex
Bishoftu Motorization Engineering Complex
Dejen Aviation Engineering Complex
Homicho Ammunition Engineering Complex
Nazareth Canvass and Garment Factory
Zuqualla Steel Rolling Mill
Branna Printing Enterprise
Foreign suppliers United States
 Israel
 Italy
 Russia

The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) is the military of Ethiopia. Civil direction of the military is carried out through the Ministry of Defense, which oversees the ground forces, air force, as well as the Defense Industry Sector. The current defense minister is Siraj Fergessa.[1] Size of the ENDF has fluctuated significantly since the end of Ethiopia-Eritrea war in 2000. In 2002 the Ethiopian Defense Forces had strength of approximately 400.000 troops.[2] This was roughly the same number maintained during the Derg regime that fell to the rebel forces in 1991. However, that number was later reduced, and in January 2007, during the War in Somalia, Ethiopian forces were said to comprise about 300,000 troops.[3]

At the moment, ENDF consists of two separate branches: the Ground Forces and Ethiopian Air Force.[4] Being a landlocked country, Ethiopia today has no navy. Ethiopia had acquired a coastline on the Red Sea in 1950 and created the Ethiopian Navy in 1955. The navy operated until Eritrea's independence, in 1991, left Ethiopia landlocked again. Ethiopia has several defence industrial organizations that produce and overhaul different weapons systems. Most of these were built under the Derg regime which had plans for a large military industrial complex. Ethiopian armed forces rely on voluntary military service of people above 18 years of age. Although there is no compulsory military service, armed forces may conduct call-ups when necessary and compliance is compulsory.[5]

History of the Army

Main article: Army of the Ethiopian Empire
Soldier of Ethiopian National Defense Force, 2006.

The Ethiopian army's origins and military traditions span back through the nation's long history. Due to Ethiopia's location at the crossroads between the Middle East and Africa, it has long been in the middle of Eastern and Western politics, and its army has been tested for many centuries by foreign aggression. From the Egyptian aggression to Ottoman invasion, to the European invasion at Adwa and concerns from the 21st century global war on terror, the country has tackled several instances of foreign aggression. In 1579, the Ottoman attempt to expand from a coastal base at Massawa was defeated. [citation needed] Ethiopia was also able to defeat the Egyptians in 1868 at Gura, led by Ethiopian Emperor Yohannes IV. [citation needed]

European opinion about Ethiopia (also known as Abyssinia by some Europeans) was that the, "Abyssinians are suffering from a 'superiority complex' which may be traced to Gundet, Gura and Adwa".[6]

Ethiopia's modern military history customarily dates from its response to the European colonial expansion of the 19th century during the Scramble for Africa, during which it maintained its independence by defeating the army of the Kingdom of Italy in the Battle of Adwa.[citation needed]

Modern history

Battle of Adwa

The Battle of Adowa (also known as Adwa or sometimes by the Italian name Adua) is the best known victory of Ethiopian forces over invaders. It maintained Ethiopia's existence as an independent state. Fought on 1 March 1896 against the Kingdom of Italy near the town of Adwa, it was the decisive battle of the First Italo–Ethiopian War. Assisted by all of the major nobles of Ethiopia including, Negus, Tekle Haymanot of Gojjam, Ras Makonnen, Ras Mengesha Yohannes, and Ras Mikael of Wollo, Emperor Menelek II of Ethiopia not only struck a powerful blow against the Italians, but also to contemporary racial prejudices. In the words of historian-anglophile Bahru Zewde, "It was a victory of blacks over whites."[7]

The Ethiopian army had been able to execute the strategic plan of Menelik's headquarters, despite a feudal system of organization and adverse circumstances. In addition to the bravery of the Ethiopian soldiers, a special role was played by the Russian military advisers and the volunteers of Leontiev's mission.[8][9][10] The first problem was the quality of its arms, as the Italian and British colonial authorities was able to sabotage the transportation of 60,000-100,000 modern Berdan rifles from Russia into landlocked Ethiopia.[11]

Secondly, the Ethiopian army was based on a feudal system of organization, and as a result, nearly the entire army was a peasant militia. Russian military experts advising Menelik II suggested trying to achieve full battle collision with Italians, to neutralize the superior fire power of their opponent, which might nullify their problems with arms, training, and organization, rather than engaging in a campaign of harassment.[12] In the battle that ensued wave upon wave of Menelik's warriors successfully attacked the Italians.

Boundary confrontation ("cold" war) against the British colonialists 1896-1899

After the successful colonial capture of the Sudan, Kenya and Uganda, the British expansion against Ethiopia became a real danger, which diminished only after the start of the Second Boer War 1899-1902. The Ethiopian army became more effective against British colonial forces. The numerous expeditions of Ethiopian forces stopped colonial expansion. As the Russian Alexander Bulatovich, one of the Russian military advisers and a participant in the expedition of the legendary army of Ras Wolde Giyorgis, wrote: "Many consider the Abyssinian army to be undisciplined. They think that it is not in any condition to withstand a serious fight with a well-organized European army, claiming that the recent war with Italy doesn't prove anything. I will not begin to guess the future, and will say only this. Over the course of four months, I watched this army closely. It is unique in the world. And I can bear witness to the fact that it is not quite so chaotic as it seems at first glance, and that on the contrary, it is profoundly disciplined, though in its own unique way. For every Abyssinian, war is normal business, and military skills and rules of army life in the field enter in the flesh and blood of each of them, just as do the main principles of tactics. On the march, each soldier knows how to arrange necessary comforts for himself and to conserve his strength; but on the other hand, when necessary, he shows such endurance and is capable of action in conditions which are difficult even to imagine. You see remarkable expediency in all the actions and skills of this army; and each soldier has an amazingly intelligent attitude toward managing the mission of the battle. Despite such qualities, because of its impetuousness, it is much more difficult to control this army than a well-drilled European army, and I can only marvel at and admire the skill of its leaders and chiefs, of which there is no shortage."[12]

In obedience to the agreement with Russia and the order of Menelik II, First Ethiopian officers began to be trained at the First Russian cadet school in 1901. 30-40 Ethiopian officers were trained in Russia from 1901-1913.

Under Haile Selassie I

Further information: Ethiopian Order of Battle Second Italo-Abyssinian War and Italian invasion of Ethiopia

Modernization of the army took place under the regency of Tafari Mekonnen, who later reigned as Emperor Haile Selassie I. He created an Imperial Bodyguard, the Kebur Zabagna, in 1917 from the earlier Mahal Safari who had traditionally attended the Ethiopian Emperor. Its elite were trained at the French military academy at Saint-Cyr or by Belgian military advisers. He also created his own military school at Holeta in January 1935.[13]

However, these efforts were not sufficient nor instituted in enough time to stop the rising tide of Italian fascism. Ethiopia lost its independence in the Italian invasion of Ethiopia of 1935-36. The country regained its independence after the 1941 East African Campaign of World War II with the intervention of forces from the British Commonwealth of Nations.

Air Force aircraft pre 1939

Type Number Country Class Remark
Airspeed AS-8 Viceroy 1  United Kingdom Bomber not delivered
Breguet BRE-19 1  France Light Bomber
Potez 25A-2 6-12  France Fighter/Light Bomber
Fieseler Stösser 3-5  Nazi Germany Reconnaissance/Light Bomber not delivered
Heinkel HD-21 1  German Empire Trainer/Fighter
Breda BA-15 1  Kingdom of Italy Trainer
Breda BA-25 1  Kingdom of Italy Trainer
DH-60 Gipsy Moth 1  United Kingdom Trainer
DH-82 Tiger Moth 10  United Kingdom Trainer
DH-84 Dragon 1  United Kingdom Utility/Transport
Beech 17 Staggerwing 2  United States Utility/Transport
Morane-Saulnier 1  France Trainer exact type unknown
1  German Empire Utility/Transport exact type and builder unknown
Farman F-192 2  France Utility/Transport
Fiat AS-1 1  Kingdom of Italy Utility/Transport
Fokker F.VII-A 1  Netherlands Utility/Transport
Fokker F.VIII-A/3M 1  Netherlands Utility/Transport
Fokker F.XVIII 2  Netherlands Utility/Transport
Weber Meindl Van-Nes A.VII 1  Austria Utility/Transport also known as Ethiopia-1
Junkers W.33C 1  German Empire Utility/Transport

Korean War

Ethiopian soldiers in the Korean War, 1951

In keeping with the principle of collective security, for which Haile Selassie was an outspoken proponent, Ethiopia sent a contingent under General Mulugueta Bulli, known as the Kagnew Battalion, to take part in the Korean War. It was attached to the American 7th Infantry Division, and fought in a number of engagements including the Battle of Pork Chop Hill.[14] 3,518 Ethiopian troops served in the war, where 121 were killed and 536 wounded during the Korean War.[15]

After the Ethiopian Revolution

At the beginning of the Ethiopian Revolution, which led to rule by a junta of military officers known as the Derg ("Committee"), Emperor Haile Selassie carefully divided the Ethiopian military into separate commands. The US Army Handbook for Ethiopia notes that each service was provided with training and equipped from different foreign countries "to assure reliability and retention of power."[16] The military consisted of the following: Imperial Bodyguard (also known as the "First Division", 8,000 men); three army divisions; services which included the Airborne, Engineers, and Signal Corps; the Territorial Army (5,000 men); and the police (28,000 men).[16]

When the Derg gained control of Ethiopia, they shifted their source for the equipment, organization and training away from Western European and American governments towards those of the Soviet Union and other Comecon countries, especially Cuba.

During this period, Ethiopian forces were often locked in counter-insurgency campaigns against various guerrilla groups. They honed both conventional and guerrilla tactics during campaigns in Eritrea, and the Ethiopian Civil War that toppled Ethiopian former military dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam in 1991 and also by repelling an invasion launched by Somalia in the 1977–1978 Ogaden War.

The Ethiopian army grew considerably during this time under the Derg (1974–1987), and the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia under Mengistu (1987–1991), especially during the latter regime. Gebru Tareke describes the organization of the Ethiopian military in early 1990, a year before Mengistu fled the country:

Ethiopian ground forces comprised four revolutionary armies organized as task forces, eleven corps, twenty-four infantry divisions, and four mountain divisions, reinforced by five mechanized divisions, two airborne divisions, and ninety-five brigades, including four mechanized brigades, three artillery brigades, four tank brigades, twelve special commando and paracommando brigades -- including the Spartakiad, which became operational in 1987 under the preparation and guidance of North Koreans -- seven BM-rocket battalions, and ten brigades of paramilitary forces.[17]

Estimated forces under arms increased dramatically:[18]

  • 1974: 41,000 (Ethiopian Revolution)
  • 1977: 53,500 (Ogaden War)
  • 1979: 65,000
  • 1991: 230,000 (overthrow of Mengistu)

Cuba provided a significant influx of military advisors and troops over this period, with the largest escalation during the Ogaden War with Somalia, supported by a Soviet airlift:[19]

  • 1977–1978: 17,000 (Ogaden War)
  • 1978: 12,000
  • 1984: 3,000
  • 1989: All forces withdrawn

1991 Order of Battle

By 1991, the Ethiopian army under the Mengistu government had grown in size, but the regime was overcome by the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ, former EPLF), Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and other opposition factions during a decades long civil war. Mengistu's People's Militia had also grown to about 200,000 members. The mechanized forces of the army comprised 1,200 T-54/55, 100 T-62 tanks, and 1,100 armored personnel carriers (APCs), but readiness was estimated to be only about 30% operational, because of the withdrawal of financial support, lack of maintenance expertise and parts from the Soviet Union, Cuba and other nations.[18]

The army commands consisted of the following:

  • First Revolutionary Army (headquartered at Harar)
  • Second Revolutionary Army (headquartered at Asmera)
  • Third Revolutionary Army (headquartered at Kombolcha)
  • Fourth Revolutionary Army (headquartered at Nekemte)
  • Fifth Revolutionary Army (headquartered at Gondar)

To these armies were assigned the operational forces of the army, comprising:

Under the EPRDF

War on Terror

Since the fall of Mengistu, the Ethiopian army under the EPRDF party was called into service fighting counter-insurgency campaigns, and also fought against the newly independent Eritrea and joined America's "war on terror" by driving the Islamic Courts Union out of Mogadishu in the War in Somalia.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, and with the rise of radical Islamism, Ethiopia again turned to the Western powers for alliance and assistance. After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the Ethiopian army began to train with US forces based out of the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) established in Djibouti, in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency. Ethiopia allowed the US to station military advisors at Camp Hurso.[20] Part of the training at Camp Hurso has included U.S. Army elements, including 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, training the 12th, 13th and 14th Division Reconnaissance Companies, which from July 2003 were being formed into a new Ethiopian anti-terrorism battalion.[21]

The Ethiopia-Eritrea war

The former allies EPRDF and PFDJ (former EPLF) led their countries Ethiopia and Eritrea, respectively, into the Eritrean-Ethiopian War of 1998. The war was fought over the disputed region of Badme. Following the war's end, the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission, a body founded by the UN, established that the Badme region had in fact belonged to Eritrea.[22] Although the two countries are now at peace, Ethiopia rejected the results of the international court's decision, and continued to occupy Badme. Most observers agree that Ethiopia's rejection of international law, coupled with the high numbers of soldiers maintained on the border by each side - a debilitatingly high number, particularly for the Eritrean side - means that the two countries are effectively still in conflict.

Somalia

Ethiopia sent troops to southern Somalia to help the UN backed weak transitional government. The TFG, Ethiopia and Puntland fought together against al Shabab and other radical Islamists to take over the capital Mogadishu. After the Islamists split into two groups, moderate Islamists led by Sheikh Ahmed signed a UN backed peace deal with the TFG and established a larger government in Mogadishu. Ethiopian troops withdrew as part of the terms of the peace deal. Government forces have been engaged in battle against Ogaden insurgents led by the Ogaden National Liberation Front.

Ground Forces

Ethiopian T-62 tanks at the end of the Ethiopian Civil War.

The modern ENDF has a wide mix of equipment. Many of its major weapons systems stem from the Communist era and are of Soviet and Eastern bloc design. The United States was Ethiopia's major arms supplier from the end of World War II until 1977, when Ethiopia began receiving massive arms shipments from the Soviet Union.[citation needed] These shipments, including armored patrol boats, transport and jet fighter aircraft, helicopters, tanks, trucks, missiles, artillery, and small arms have incurred an unserviced Ethiopian debt to the former Soviet Union estimated at more than $3.5 billion.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated in the Military Balance 2009 that the army comprised 4 Military Regional Commands; (Northern (HQ Mekele.[23]), Western, Central, and Eastern) each acting as corps HQ.[24] There was also a Support Command and a strategic reserve of 4 divisions and 6 specialist brigades centred on Addis Ababa.

Each of the four corps comprised a headquarters and an estimated one mechanised division and between 4-6 infantry divisions.

One identified division is the 25th.[25] 31st Division Commander, Colonel Tsegaye Marx, Tigre

Modern ground forces equipment

Infantry weapons

Name Type Origins Notes
Makarov Semi-automatic pistol  Soviet Union [26]
Beretta Model 38 Sub-machine gun  Italy [27]
UZI Sub-machine gun  Israel [28]
Colt M16A-4 AR  United States
Colt M4 Carbine  United States
M14 SAR  United States 23,453 Delivered.
AK-103 Assault rifle  Russia\ Ethiopia The Gafat Armament Engineering Complex produces the AK-103 rifle in Ethiopia. Supplements the AKM and AK-47 in the Ethiopian Armed Forces.[29]
AK-47 Assault rifle  Soviet Union [30]
AKM Assault rifle  Soviet Union 100,000+ [29][30]
BM59 Assault rifle\LMG BM-59 MK-4  Italy [31]
G3 Assault rifle  Germany [32]
Colt revolver revolver  United States out of service, 88 delivered.
S&W Pistol Pistol  United States out of service, 118 (60 K-22+58 M-10) delivered.
S&W Revolver Revolver  United States 88 delivered.
Vz-52 PSL Pistol  Czechoslovakia
Mannlicher Carranco rifle  Kingdom of Italy out of service
Mosin-Nagat M1944 rifle  Soviet Union
Type 68 rifle  China
Vz-52 rifle  Czechoslovakia
M-1917A-1 LMG  United States out of servise.
Browning M1919A-1\4\6 MMG  United States out of service,100 delivered.
Type-67 Machine gun  China
Vickers 0.303 Machine gun  United Kingdom out of service
Vz-52 MG Light machine gun  Czechoslovakia
SKS semi automatic rifle  Soviet Union
RP-46 Light machine gun  Soviet Union
Vz. 58 Assault rifle  Czechoslovakia [31]
TAR-21 Bullpup assault rifle  Israel Ethiopian Prime Minister bodyguards were seen with the TAR-21.[33][34]
RP-46 "Degtyaryov" Light machine gun  Soviet Union [35]
SVD sniper rifle  Soviet Union
PK Light machine gun  Russia
SACO M60 GPMG\Light machine gun  United States reserves 660 delivered.
FN-FAL 50-00 Semi automatic rifle  Belgium reserves
Browning M2-HB 12,7mm Heavy machin gun  United States 110+ delivered.
M-85 Heavy machine gun for Patton M60A-1 MBT  United States
Type-85 Heavy machine gun  China
SG-43 medium machine gun  Soviet Union SGM\ SGMB \ SGMT
Browning Automatic Rifle-BAR Automatic rifle\Light machine gun  United States out of service 64 delivered.
Garand M-1 Semi automatic rifle  United States out of service 2,089 delivered.
M-1\2 Carbine Carbine  United States out of service 16,416 delivered.
Colt M-1911 Heand gun  United States
MAS-36 rifle  France out of service
KAR-98 \M-84 rifle  Nazi Germany\ Yugoslavia out of service
MP-44 Automatic rifle  Nazi Germany out of service
MG-34 LMG  Nazi Germany out of service
MG-43 LMG  Nazi Germany out of service
Bren 0.303 Light machine gun  United Kingdom out of service
Lewis 0.303 Light machine gun  United Kingdom out of service
Lee Enfield 0.303 rifle  United Kingdom out of service
Breda -30 6.5mm Light machine gun  Kingdom of Italy out of service
Madsen Light machine gun  Denmark out of service. M-1907 \ M-1910 \ M-1934 \ M-1935 & M-1950
DP Light machine gun  Soviet Union out of service
PPSh-41 Sub- machine gun  Soviet Union out of service
M3 0.45 Sub- machine gun  United States out of service
RPD Light machine gun  Soviet Union [31]
RPK Light machine gun  Soviet Union [31]
DShK Heavy machinegun  Soviet Union [31]

Armored fighting vehicles

Name Type Quantity Origins Notes
T-72A\AV Main battle tank 260[36]  Soviet Union\ Ukraine First 60 with 125mm gun bought from Yemen, remaining 200 improved T-72AV with 120mm gun ordered from Ukraine in 2011.
T-62 Main battle tank 100[37]  Soviet Union
T-54/55 Main battle tank 250[38]  Soviet Union A total of 1,270 T-55 (900 from  Soviet Union+40 from  Belarus+190 from  Bulgaria+50 from  East Germany+90 from  Libya and 260 T-54 (200 from  Soviet Union+60 from  East Germany Delivered
M60A-1 Patton-2 MBT Out of service?  United States 72-84 Delivered
Oto Melara OF-40 Lion\or KMW Leopard-1A5 MBT -  Italy\ Germany 3-8 Deliverd by  Libya during Ogaden war with Soviet crews-reported.
Patton M47 Medium Tank 30?  United States\ Yugoslavia out of service?
T-34\85 Medium Tank reserves?  Soviet Union 56-85 Delivered
PT-76B Light Tank ?  Soviet Union reported
M41 Walker Bulldog Light Tank out of service?  United States 54-70 Delivered
M24 Chaffee Light Tank out of service  United States 20 Delivered
Praga AH-1V Tankette out of service  Czech Republic 20 Delivered
Panhard AML-60 ARV out of service?  France 56 Delivered
Greyhound M8 ARV out of service  United States 15 Delivered
M20 ARV out of service  United States 15 Delivered
T17 Deerhound ARV out of service  United States
BTR-80 APC 20  Russia
WZ-551 APC +  China
Type-89 AIFV +  China
BRDM-2 ARV 65  Soviet Union 180 Delivered
BRDM-1 ARV 5?  Soviet Union 50 Delivered
Cadilac LAV V150 Commando AIFV 12-Status Unknown  United States
Cadilac LAV V100 Commando AIFV out of service  United States 40 Delivered
UR-416 APC out of service?  Germany 10 Delivered
BTR-60PB Armored personnel carrier 80[39]  Soviet Union 550 Delivered
BTR-50 APC Reported.status unknown  Soviet Union
BMP-1 Infantry fighting vehicle 70-100  Soviet Union These vehicles were ordered in 1977 from Soviet Union and delivered between 1977 and 1978.[40] Current condition unknown.
BMD-1 AIFV ?-Reported  Soviet Union
M113 Armored personnel carrier 110  United States up to 150 Delivered
BTR-152 APC 10?  Soviet Union 100 Delivered
BTR-40 APC out of service?  Soviet Union 100 Delivered
M59 APC out of service  United States 120 Delivered
M75 APC out of service  United States 39 Delivered

Artillery

Name Type Quantity Origins Notes
M109A1 Self-propelled gun 155mm 17  United States Unknown number of systems delivered.[41]
Type-88\ WA-021 155mm towed hoeitzer 18  China
Type-63 107mm MRLs 25  China
BM-21 Grad 122mm MRLs 58  Soviet Union
BMD-200 200mm MRLs ?-reported  Soviet Union
SS-1 Scud B SSM ?-reported  Soviet Union
Hwasong-5 SRDM SSM ?-reported  North Korea
2S19 MSTA-S 152mm SPH 20  Russia
2S5 M-1973 152mm SPH 10  Russia\ Soviet Union
2S1 Gvozdika 122mm SPH 10  Soviet Union
122mm D-30 SP on type 85 APC 122mm SPH 11  Soviet Union\ China\ Ethiopia
180mm S-23 180mm towed gun 100 reported  Soviet Union
M114A-1 155mm towed howitzer ?  United States 12 Delivered
D-20 152mm towed howitzer 20  Soviet Union
M-46 130mm towed gun +  Russia\ Soviet Union\ Kazakhstan 138 delivered
D-30 122mm towed howitzer 250  Russia\ Soviet Union\ Kazakhstan 640 delivered
M-30 122mm towed howitzer 100  Soviet Union 250 Delivered
M101A-1 105mm towed howitzer ?  United States 52 Delivered status unknown
Oto Melara Pack M-56 105mm towed howitzer ?  Italy 4-40 delivered
T-12 2A19 100mm gun +  Soviet Union 50 Delivered
D-44 85mm gun ?  Soviet Union Status unknown
Zis-3 M-1943 76mm gun ?  Soviet Union
M116 75mm Pack howitzer ?  United States 36 Delivered stastus Unknown
M-43 120mm heavy mortar 100 +  Soviet Union
QF-25 25PDR 87.6mm towed gun\howitzer reported  United Kingdom out of service
M30 107mm heavy mortar +  United States 146 Delivered
M2 107mm heavy mortar +  United States 140 Delivered
M-43 82mm medium mortar +  Soviet Union
M29\M-29A1 81mm medium mortar +  United States
M1 81mm medium mortar +  United States
M19 60mm light mortar +  United States

Air defense & Anti Tank weapons

Name Type Quantity Origins Notes
ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun 60[42]  Soviet Union
ZSU-57-2 Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun 10[43]  Soviet Union 10 ordered in 1977 from Soviet Union and delivered in 1978 (the vehicles were previously in Soviet service).
SA-3B Goa SAM 25(x4) Launchers\900 missiles  Soviet Union S-125 Neva\Pechoca
SA-2 Guideline SAM 18 Launchers  Soviet Union S-75 Dvina
SA-6 Gainful SP-SAM ?-Reported  Soviet Union 2K12 Kub
SA-4 Ganef SP-SAM ?  Soviet Union 2K11 Krug
SA-9 Gaskin SP-SAM +  Soviet Union 9K31 Strela-1
SA-18 Igla MANPAD 200 Launchers  Russia
SA-7\SA-7B MANPAD 1,550 missiles Delivered 300 Launchers  Soviet Union
FIM43C Redeye MANPAD orderd,never dilvered  United States
ZU-23 23mm towed AAG +  Soviet Union
M-1939 37mm towed AAG +  Soviet Union
S-60 57mm towed AAG +  Soviet Union
ZPU 14.5mm x2\4 towed AAG +  Soviet Union
M163 Vulcan 20mm SP-AAG ordered,never delivered  United States
M55 Quad 4x 12.7mm AAG out of service  United States 16 Delivered
Son-9 fire control radar 20  Soviet Union
Oerlikon-S 20mm AAG out of servise   Swiss
Bofors M36 40mm AAG out of service  Sweden\ United States 50 Delivered
BGM71-A\C TOW ATGM Launcher 22 Launchers\600 missiles  United States
AT-14 Kornet-E ATGM Launcher 80 reported  Russia
Combat anti-tank missile for T-72 2,000  Ukraine
AT-6 Spiral ATGM Launcher 10  Soviet Union 9K114 Shturm
AT-4 Spigot ATGM Launcher 50  Soviet Union 9K-111 Fagot
AT-3 Sagger ATGM 1,000 missiles  Soviet Union for BMP-1&BRDM-2 9K-11 Malyutka
Nord SS-11 ATGM 4 Launchers  France
RPG-7\RPG-7V Light ATRLs +  Soviet Union\ Ethiopia
RPG-18 Light ATRLs +  Russia
M72 Law Light ATRLs +(?)  United States Status Unknown
M79 GL 1,009 Delivered  United States
B-11 RCL 107mm +  Soviet Union
M40A1C1 RCL 105\6mm ?  United States
B-10 82mm RCL +  Soviet Union

Logistics and support vehicles

Name Type Quantity Origins Notes
HMMWV Armored multi-purpose vehicle ????  United States Unknown quantity delivered.[44]
Ural truck +  Soviet Union
PTS-M Amphibious transporter +  Soviet Union
Reo M35 truck +  United States
Gaz-63 truck +  Soviet Union
UAZ-469 utility +  Soviet Union
M37 Light truck +  United States
Toyota Land Cruiser utility +  Japan
Mercedes Benz truck +  Germany
Ford M151A1\2 jeep +  United States
Willys Jeep jeep +  United States
MTU-55 AVLB +  Soviet Union
T-55 ARV Recovery tank +  Soviet Union

Peacekeeping

Ethiopia has served in various United Nations and African Union peacekeeping missions. These have included the Ivory Coast,[45][46] on the Burundi border,[45][47] and in Rwanda.

Two major Ethiopian missions are in LIberia and Darfur. The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) was established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1509, of 19 September 2003, to support the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the peace process, protect United Nations staff, facilities and civilians, support humanitarian and human rights activities; as well as assist in national security reform, including national police training and formation of a new, restructured military.[48] In November 2007, nearly 1,800 Ethiopian troops serving with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) were presented with UN Peacekeeping medals for their "invaluable contribution to the peace process."[49] Up to three Ethiopian battalions used to constitute Sector 4 of the UN Mission, covering the southern part of the country.

Many thousands of Ethiopian peacekeepers are involved in the joint African Union/United Nations Hybrid operation in Darfur, western Sudan. The Security Council authorized a UNAMID force of about 26,000 uniformed personnel.[50][51]

See also

References

  1. ^ http://moinfo.gov.et/English/publication.php?Main_Page_Number=2541&Doc_Type=English
  2. ^ "Ethiopia Armed Forces". Nations Encyclopedia.
  3. ^ "Ethiopian army eager to learn from U.S. soldiers". Stars and Stripes. 2007-01-07. Retrieved 2007-01-14.
  4. ^ http://www.nationmaster.com/country/et-ethiopia/mil-military
  5. ^ https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2024.html
  6. ^ Clapham, Christopher 1987. Transformation and Continuity in Revolutionary Ethiopia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Crabites, Pierre.
  7. ^ Bahru Zewde, A History of Modern Ethiopia (London: James Currey, 1991), p. 81.
  8. ^ RUSSIAN MISSION TO ABYSSINIA.
  9. ^ Who Was Count Abai?.
  10. ^ The activities of the officer the Kuban Cossack army N.S. Leontjev in the Italian-Ethiopic war in 1895-1896
  11. ^ [1] Leonid Artamonov, a Russian general, geographer and traveler, military adviser of Menelik II, as one of Russian officers of volunteers attached to the forces of Ras Tessema (wrote: Through Ethiopia to the White Nile).
  12. ^ a b - WITH THE ARMIES OF MENELIK II by Alexander K. Bulatovich
  13. ^ Ethiopia Military Tradition in National Life Library of Congress
  14. ^ As described at the Ethiopian Korean War Veterans website.
  15. ^ "U.S. Forces/Allies in the Korean War: Factsheet". United States Army. Retrieved 2007-02-15.
  16. ^ a b Cited in Marina and David Ottaway, Ethiopia: Empire in Revolution (New York: Africana, 1978), p. 45.
  17. ^ Gebru Tareke, The Ethiopian Revolution: War in the Horn of Africa (New Haven: Yale University, 2009), p. 120
  18. ^ a b Ethiopia: Army Library of Congress Country Studies
  19. ^ Ethiopia: Cuba Library of Congress Country Studies
  20. ^ "U.S. trainers prepare Ethiopians to fight". Stars and Stripes. 2006-12-30. Retrieved 2007-01-14.
  21. ^ Memo: Meritorious Unit Commendation for 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 2d Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (LI), Fort Drum, NY 13602, from 2nd Brigade, 10th MD(LI), 21 January 2004, downloaded from Internet and accessed mid September 2007.
  22. ^ http://www.un.org/NewLinks/eebcarbitration/
  23. ^ http://www.ena.gov.et/EnglishNews/2008/Jul/24Jul08/63634.htm
  24. ^ IISS Military Balance 2009, p.301
  25. ^ http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1141&Itemid=46
  26. ^ Jones, Richard (2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group. {{cite book}}: Text "ISBN 978-0710628695" ignored (help)
  27. ^ Jones, Richard (2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group. pp. 894–905. ISBN 0710628692.
  28. ^ Jones, Richard D. (ed.); Ness, Leland S. (ed.) (27 January 2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009–2010 (35th ed.). Coulsdon, Surry: Jane's Information Group. p. 117. ISBN 978-0710628695. OCLC 268790196. Retrieved 7 January 2011. {{cite book}}: |first1= has generic name (help)
  29. ^ a b http://www.ethiopiabook.com/technology/engineering/dejen-aviation-engineering-complex-davec-16093.html
  30. ^ a b Janes (2009-12). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ a b c d e Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5. Cite error: The named reference "jones2009" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  32. ^ Gangarosa, Gene Jr. (2001). Heckler & Koch—Armorers of the Free World. Maryland: Stoeger Publishing. ISBN 0-88317-229-1.
  33. ^ [2]
  34. ^ [3]
  35. ^ Jones, Richard D.; Ness, Leland S., eds. (January 27, 2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010 (35th ed.). Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  36. ^ http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/106382/#ixzz1OtrZzLJF
  37. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20080615133354/http://softland.com.pl/aerojac/aaa/t62/t62.htm
  38. ^ Military balance 2004-2005
  39. ^ Czołgi Świata, Issue 41, p 11, 12
  40. ^ http://armstrade.sipri.org/arms_trade/trade_register.php
  41. ^ "Ethiopian Air Power Proves Decisive in Somalia". January 16, 2007. Retrieved 30 June 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  42. ^ "ZSU-23-4". Jane's Information Group. 2008-10-30. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
  43. ^ Witold Mikiciuk "Jowitek" (1 April 2001). "57 mm samobieżna armata przeciwlotnicza ZSU-57-2". MULTIMEDIA POLSKA. Retrieved 29 August 2008.
  44. ^ "High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) Family of Vehicles" (pdf). Retrieved 30 June 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  45. ^ a b Ethiopian peacekeeping in Africa
  46. ^ Ethiopian peacekeeping missions
  47. ^ Ethiopian peacekeeping missions in Burundi
  48. ^ UNMIL in Liberia
  49. ^ Ethiopian troops awarded UN peacekeeping medals
  50. ^ More Ethiopian troops arrive in Darfur bolstering peacekeeping operation
  51. ^ UNAMID

http://ethiopiamilitary.com/the-ethiopian-national-defense%e2%80%99s-endf-equipment/

External links

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.

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