Addis Ababa, January 23, 2026 (FMC) — African military attachés have recognized the Ethiopian Air Force (EAF) as a leading model for air forces across the continent, highlighting its rapid modernization, increasing self-reliance, and significant contributions to regional peace and security.
The acknowledgment came during Aviation Expo 2026, officially launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and First Lady Zinash Tayachew as part of the ETAF90 celebrations, marking the 90th anniversary of the Ethiopian Air Force.
The milestone is being commemorated from January 23 to 27, 2026, celebrating nine decades of sacrifice, resilience, and transformative achievement.
Organized within the framework of the anniversary celebrations, Aviation Expo 2026 brought together defense officials and military delegations from across Africa.
Participants toured Ethiopian Air Force facilities and engaged in high-level discussions on aviation development, defense cooperation, and capacity building, underscoring Ethiopia’s growing influence in continental security affairs.
Colonel Mothusi Chelenyane, Defence Attaché at the Embassy of Botswana in Addis Ababa, praised the Ethiopian Air Force for its remarkable progress in aviation, engineering, and operational capabilities.
He described the EAF as one of the fastest-developing air forces in Africa and an emerging continental leader.
Colonel Chelenyane emphasized the EAF’s strong commitment to self-reliance, particularly its advanced capacities in aircraft maintenance, modification, and essential engineering services.
He noted that Ethiopia’s experience provides valuable lessons for other African nations seeking to strengthen their air force capabilities.
Highlighting persistent peace and security challenges across Africa, he stressed the importance of regional collaboration, adding that the Ethiopian Air Force presents significant opportunities for cooperation and mutually beneficial partnerships aimed at addressing shared security threats.
Echoing this view, Mackenzy Tjivera, Defence Attaché at the Embassy of Namibia in Ethiopia, stated that the EAF is not only enhancing its national capabilities but is also contributing meaningfully to strengthening air forces across Africa through collaborative efforts.
He emphasized that the Ethiopian Air Force is widely welcomed by African countries and plays a critical role in advancing collective security, noting that sustainable peace cannot be achieved through isolated efforts.
According to him, cooperation in aviation and air force operations is essential, and Ethiopia is making a tangible contribution to continental stability.
Similarly, Colonel Aristide Anguilet, Defence Attaché of Gabon, commended the Ethiopian Air Force’s progress and institutional determination, as reported by ENA.
He described the EAF as a valuable national asset and a strong example for other African countries, expressing deep admiration for the developments he observed during the event.
Colonel Anguilet further noted that the participation of numerous African nations in the expo reflects a shared commitment to learning from Ethiopia’s experience and strengthening cooperation, reinforcing the growing importance of continental partnerships in defense and security.