Ethiopia has signed a significant cooperation agreement with Russia to support the modernization of its naval forces. On Friday, a Russian Navy delegation, led by Deputy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Vladimir Vorobyev, visited Ethiopia’s naval facilities and training center in Bishoftu, 30 miles south of Addis Ababa. The agreement focuses on naval training and capacity building, marking a major milestone in Ethiopia’s effort to rebuild its naval forces.
This partnership follows an initial 2022 visit and underscores Ethiopia’s commitment to enhancing its maritime capabilities. Ethiopia’s navy, which was disbanded in 1993 after the country became landlocked, has been in the process of reconstruction since 2018 under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The recent agreement with Russia expands Ethiopia’s foreign partnerships as it works to modernize its navy and improve its readiness to protect its interests in international waters.
Commodore Jamal Tufisa, Deputy Commander of Operations for the Ethiopian Navy, stressed that the cooperation will strengthen Ethiopia’s naval rebuilding efforts, ensuring the country’s naval forces are better equipped to secure its maritime interests.
The agreement comes as Ethiopia continues to push for seaport access and a stronger naval presence, which is crucial for enhancing both trade and defense capabilities. This collaboration with Russia also aligns with Moscow’s growing interest in the Indian Ocean, as it seeks to establish a permanent naval base in Port Sudan, according to The Marine Times. However, the ongoing conflict in Sudan may delay such developments.