Africa. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force and Air Defense Command has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its Ethiopian counterpart, marking a new milestone in the growing strategic and military partnership between the two countries.
The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow 2025, in the presence of Lieutenant General Ibrahim Nasser Al Alawi, Commander of the UAE Air Force and Air Defense, alongside senior military officials from both sides.
The MoU was signed by Major General Rashid Mohammed Al Shamsi on behalf of the UAE and Lieutenant General Yilma Merdasa Genaba, Commander of the Ethiopian Air Force, on behalf of Ethiopia.
Strengthening the Path of Cooperation
This MoU builds on an ongoing defense cooperation trajectory between the two nations. The UAE and Ethiopia had first signed a defense cooperation agreement during the Dubai Airshow 2019, which laid the groundwork for a long-term strategic partnership.
That earlier agreement, signed by Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs, and his Ethiopian counterpart, served as a key milestone in strengthening defense collaboration and knowledge exchange between the two sides.
Goals of the New MoU
The newly signed memorandum focuses on enhancing mutual cooperation and expertise exchange in military and technical fields, as well as developing both nations’ air and defense capabilities. It also aims to expand the horizons of defense partnerships to serve the shared interests of the UAE and Ethiopia.
Officials from both countries emphasized that this step is a natural extension of the distinguished bilateral relations, reflecting their mutual commitment to joint military work as a foundation for security and stability.
Broader Strategic Context
It is noteworthy that in 2023, the UAE and Ethiopia signed 18 MoUs and cooperation agreements in Addis Ababa, witnessed by UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Those agreements covered several key areas, notably counterterrorism, economic, financial, and investment cooperation, reaffirming the deep and multifaceted strategic partnership between the two nations.
