Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Saturday inaugurated a drone manufacturing facility, capable of producing unmanned aerial vehicles for both civilian and military use.
The inauguration of the drones’ manufacturing facility came amid a surge in analyst and social media commentary expressing growing fears of an imminent conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Speaking at the inaugural event of the Sky Win Aeronautics Industries, Ahmed said the drones are integrated AI and include one way attack drones.
“This industry is part of Ethiopia’s broader efforts to achieve technological self-reliance in the security sector. Ethiopia has developed the capacity not only to produce and utilize drones but also to export them,” the prime minister said.
“Today, as we inaugurate Sky Win Aeronautics Industries, we recognize that the locally manufactured drones before us were unimaginable just a few years ago,” the Prime Minister wrote on X.
The Premier added Ethiopia’s ability to produce drones with diverse capabilities—designed and built by its young professionals—is a significant milestone.
He stressed the need to invest more in continuous research, expand market reach, and strengthen local production of smart sensor technologies.
“We are developing capabilities like these—along with the advancements at Homicho Ammunition Engineering Industry—not to fuel conflict, but to prevent it. Through deterrence, we seek to secure peace and stability in the face of belligerent actors,” the prime minister added.
MG/abj/APA