Military of Ethiopia 9405 221583590 2008-06-25T04:19:46Z Thijs!bot 1392310 robot Adding: [[ru:Вооружённые силы Эфиопии]] {{Infobox National Military | color=#00FF00 | country= Ethiopia | image=[[Image:Flag of Ethiopia.svg|250px]] | caption=[[Flag of Ethiopia]] | age=18 | available=14,568,277 | available_f=14,482,885 | fit=8,072,755 | fit_f=7,902,660 | reaching=803,777 | reaching_f=801,789 | active= 182,500 (ranked[[List of countries by number of active troops|28th]]) | amount= $300 million (2005 est.) | percent_GDP= 3.4% }} The '''[[Ethiopia]]n National Defense Force (ENDF)''' is one of the largest [[military]] forces in [[Africa]] along with [[Military of Egypt|Egypt]] and [[Military of Morocco|Morocco]], [[List of countries by number of active troops|29th]] largest in the world. Force sizes recently varied considerably in light of the end of the war with [[Eritrea]] in 2000. In January 2007, during the [[War in Somalia (2006–present)|war in Somalia]], Ethiopian forces were said to be about 200,000 troops.<ref name=ETHIOPIAN-FORCES-EAGER-TO-LEARN-FROM-US-SOLDIERS>{{cite web |title=Ethiopian army eager to learn from U.S. soldiers |url=http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=41521&archive=true |publisher=[[Stars and Stripes]] |date=[[2007-01-07]] |accessdate=2007-01-14 }}</ref> This is down from the 252,000 estimated troops in 2002<ref name=ETHIOPIA-ARMED-FORCES>{{cite web |title=Ethiopia Armed Forces |url=http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Ethiopia-ARMED-FORCES.html |publisher=Nations Encyclopedia |accessdate=}}</ref>, which was roughly the same number maintained during the [[Derg]] regime that fell to the rebel forces in 1991. Since the early 1990s, the ENDF has been in transition from a rebel force to a professional military organization with the aid of the U.S. and other countries. Training in de-mining, humanitarian and peace-keeping operations, professional military education, and military justice are among the major programs sponsored by the U.S. == Military Branches == The ENDF consists of the following types of units: Ground Forces, [[Ethiopian Air Force|Air Force]], Police, Militia. == History of the Army == The Ethiopian army's origins and military traditions span back through the nation's [[History of Ethiopia|long history]]. Due to Ethiopia's location at the crossroads between the middle east and Africa; which have placed it in the middle of East and Western politics, its army has been tested for many centuries from foreign aggression. From the Egyptian aggression to Ottoman invasion, to the European invasion and concerns from the 21st century global [[war on terror]], the country has tackled several foreign aggression through out its history. Ethiopia was able to drive back Egyptian and Ottoman invasions decisively and its modern military history generally 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 [[First Italo–Ethiopian War]]. The [[Battle of Adowa]] (also known as ''Adwa'' or sometimes by the Italian name ''Adua'') is the best known victory of Ethiopian forces over these invaders, confirming 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 Bahru Zewde, "It was a victory of blacks over whites. Adwa thus anticipated by almost a decade the equally shattering experience to the whites of the Japanese victory over Russia in 1905."<ref>Bahru Zewde, ''A History of Modern Ethiopia'' (London: James Currey, 1991), p. 81.</ref> ===Under Haile Selassie I=== {{see|Ethiopian Order of Battle Second Italo-Abyssinian War|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]] in 1917 from the earlier ''mahal safari'' that had traditionally attended the Ethiopian Emperor; its elite were trained at the French [[military academy]] at [[École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr|Saint-Cyr]] or by Belgian military advisers. He also created his own military school at [[Oletta Military Academy|Holeta]] in January 1935.<ref name=Ethiopia-Military-Tradition-in-National-Life>[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+et0163) Ethiopia Military Tradition in National Life] [[Library of Congress]]</ref> 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 [[East African Campaign (World War II)|1941 East African Campaign]] of [[World War II]] with the intervention of forces from the [[Commonwealth of Nations|British Commonwealth]]. ===Korean War=== [[Image:Ethiopian_soldiers_Korea1951.JPG|thumb|right|200px|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|UN Conflict in Korea]]. It was attached to the American [[7th Infantry Division (United States)|7th Infantry Division]], and fought in a number of engagements including the [[Battle of Pork Chop Hill]].<ref>As described at the [http://www.geocities.com/lmak27455/Ethiopian_Korean_War_Veterans/help.html Ethiopian Korean War Veterans] website.</ref> 3,518 Ethiopian troops served in the war; they lost 121 killed and 536 wounded during the conflict in Korea.<ref name=US-FORCES-ALLIES-KOREA-FACTSHEET>{{cite web |title=U.S. Forces/Allies in the Korean War: Factsheet |url=http://korea50.army.mil/history/factsheets/allied.shtml |accessdate=2007-02-15 |publisher=[[United States Army]] }}</ref> ===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."<ref name=Ottaway-45>Cited in Marina and David Ottaway, ''Ethiopia: Empire in Revolution'' (New York: Africana, 1978), p. 45.</ref> 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).<ref name=Ottaway-45/> 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 the dictator [[Mengistu Haile Mariam]] (1987–1991), especially during the latter regime. Estimated forces under arms increased dramatically<ref name=ETHIOPIA-ARMY-LOC>[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+et0167) Ethiopia: Army] [[Library of Congress]] Country Studies</ref>: * 1974: 41,000 ([[Ethiopian Revolution]]) * 1977: 50,000 ([[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<ref name=ETHIOPIA-CUBA>[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+et0178) Ethiopia: Cuba] [[Library of Congress]] Country Studies</ref>: * 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 Mengistu 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 factions. The 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 carrier]]s (APCs), but readiness was estimated to only be about 30% operational because of the withdrawal of financial support, lack of maintenance expertise and parts from the [[Soviet Union]], [[Cuba]] and other nations.<ref name=ETHIOPIA-ARMY-LOC>[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+et0167) Ethiopia: Army] [[Library of Congress]] Country Studies</ref> 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: * 31 [[infantry]] [[Division (military)|division]]s * 32 [[tank]] [[battalion]]s * 40 [[artillery]] [[battalion]]s * 12 [[air defense]] [[battalion]]s * 8 [[commando]] [[brigade]]s ===Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front=== Since the fall of Mengistu, the Ethiopian army under the EPRDF has been called into service fighting continuing counter-insurgency campaigns, and also fought to a stalemate in the 1998-2000 [[Ethiopian-Eritrean War]], and drove the [[Islamic Courts Union]] out of Somalia in the [[War in Somalia (2006—present)|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]].<ref name=US-TRAINERS-PREPARE-ETHIOPIANS-TO-FIGHT>{{cite news |url=http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=41429&archive=true |title=U.S. trainers prepare Ethiopians to fight |publisher=[[Stars and Stripes (newspaper)|Stars and Stripes]] |date=[[2006-12-30]] |accessdate=2007-01-14 }}</ref> 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.<ref>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.</ref> ==Equipment== [[Image:T-55s_civil_war.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Ethiopian [[T-62]] tanks at the end of the [[Ethiopian Civil War]]]] The modern ENDF has a wide mix of equipment. It does not produce its own weapons, so all arms must be imported. It has used its position to act as a reseller of arms to other African nations, such as Burundi and Somalia. 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 trade|arms supplier]] from the end of [[World War II|World War 2]] until 1977, when Ethiopia began receiving massive arms shipments from the [[Soviet Union]]. 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. Since 1991, there remains a continuing influx of arms from former Eastern bloc countries (Russia, Czech Republic, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Hungary), yet also increasing use of Western equipment (US, Germany, UK, and France)<ref name=ANALYSIS-OF-SUPPLY-OF-SMALL-ARMS-AND-MAJOR-WEAPONS>{{cite web |title=Analyses of the supply of small arms and major weapons to the 10 countries in the world having the highest under 5-year mortality rates and being engaged in conflict in the year 2000 |date=[[2002-12-21]] |url=http://www.ak47mc.org/publications/emptyarms_supp.html |accessdate=2007-01-14}}</ref><ref name=>{{cite news |title=Africa: US Arms Sales Increase |url=http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/19358.html |publisher=The Conservative Voice |date=[[2006-10-17]] |accessdate=2007-01-14 }}</ref>, and purchases from Israel<ref name=US-ARMS-SALES-TO-ISRAEL-END-UP=IN-CHINA-IRAQ>{{cite web |title=U.S. Arms Sales to Israel End Up In China, Iraq |url=http://www.commondreams.org/views02/0509-07.htm |date=[[2002-05-09]] |accessdate=2007-01-14 }}</ref> and China<ref name=BUYERS-LINE-UP-FOR-CHINAS-ARMS>{{cite news |title=Buyers line up for China's arms |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5086416.stm |source=[[BBC]] |date=[[2006-06-16]] |accessdate=2007-01-14}}</ref>. ===Ground Equipment=== Tanks: 250 [[T-54/55]], 100 [[T-62]], 50 [[T-72]].<ref name=ETHIOPIANS-TOUGH-MEAN>{{cite news | title = The Ethiopians have always been tough, mean | publisher =[[Agence France Presse]] |date=[[2006-12-20]] | url =http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Africa&set_id=1&click_id=&art_id=iol1166618615880E312 | accessdate = 2007-01-05 }}</ref><br> IFV/APCs: 25 [[BMP-1]], 110 [[M113]], 10 [[BTR-152]], 14 [[BTR-60]].<br> Reconnaissance vehicles: 250 [[BRDM-2]].<br> Artillery: 5 [[2S1|2S1(M1974)]], 17 [[M109 howitzer|M109]], [[2S19 Msta]] ===Aircraft=== Helicopters: 8 [[Mil Mi-6|Mil Mi-6 Hook]], 14 [[Mil Mi-14|Mil Mi-14 Haze]], 14 [[Mil Mi-17|Mil Mi-17 Hip-H]], 15 [[Mil Mi-24|Mil Mi-24 Hind]], 3 [[Aérospatiale Alouette III|Aérospatiale SA-316 Alouette III]], and 4 [[Aérospatiale Puma|Aérospatiale SA-330 Puma]].<br> Fighter aircraft: 21 [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed]], 18 [[Sukhoi Su-27|Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker]]<ref name=ETHIOPIANS-TOUGH-MEAN/>.<br> Ground attack Aircraft: 32 [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23|Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23BN Flogger-F]]<ref name=ETHIOPIANS-TOUGH-MEAN/>, and 4 [[Sukhoi Su-25|Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot]].<br> Cargo aircraft:[[Antonov An-2|Antonov An-2 Colt]], [[Antonov An-12|Antonov An-12 Cub]], [[Antonov An-26|Antonov An-26 Curl]], [[Antonov An-32|Antonov An-32 Cline]], and 3 [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules]].<br> Trainer aircraft: 5 [[SF.260|Aermacchi SF.260TP]] and 14 [[Aero L-39|Aero L-39 Albatros]].<br> ===Weapons=== Assault Rifles: [[AK-47]], [[Heckler & Koch G3]] .<br> Machine Guns: [[PKM]], [[DSHK]] .<br> Anti-tank missiles: [[BGM-71 TOW|M220 BGM-71 TOW]].<br> Air-to-air missiles: [[R-73|R-73 (AA-11 Archer)]], [[Vympel R-27|R-27 (AA-10 Alamo)]] ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==Published references== * Christopher F. Foss, ''Jane's Tank and Combat Vehicles Recognition Guide'', 2002. * David Rendall, ''Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide'', 1999. * Mike Spick, ''Illustrated Directory of Fighters'', 2002. * Günter Endres & Michael J. Gething, ''Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide'', 2005. == External links == *[http://ethiopiamilitary.com Ethiopian Military website] *[http://memory.loc.gov/frd/etsave/et_05_00.html History of the Military of Ethiopia at Library of Congress, Introduction] (internal links broken) *[http://memory.loc.gov/frd/etsave/et_05_01.html History of the Military of Ethiopia at Library of Congress, Military Tradition] (internal links broken) *[http://memory.loc.gov/frd/etsave/et_05_02.html History of the Military of Ethiopia at Library of Congress, Armed Forces (until 1991)] (internal links broken) * [http://www.dehai.org/archives/dehai_news_archive/apr-may03/0303.html A history of the Ethiopian Air Force (dehai-news)] * [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/et.html CIA World Factbook: Ethiopia] {{Africa in topic|Military of}} {{CIAfb}} [[Category:Military of Ethiopia| ]] [[bn:ইথিওপিয়ার সামরিক বাহিনী]] [[de:Äthiopische Streitkräfte]] [[es:Fuerzas Armadas de Etiopía]] [[hu:Etiópia hadereje]] [[ru:Вооружённые силы Эфиопии]]