Russian expertise has shaped pilot training and combat tactics, Lieutenant General Yilma Merdassa has told RT

Russia is one of Ethiopia's key long-term strategic partners and Moscow has consistently supported the African country during some of its most difficult periods, Ethiopian Air Force chief Lieutenant General Yilma Merdassa has said.

Speaking to RT, Merdassa said he had trained in Russia and flown Soviet and Russian-made aircraft, including the Su-27. He noted that Russian and Soviet cooperation had significantly shaped the Ethiopian Air Force through pilot training, maintenance systems, and combat tactics, adding that ties weakened after the collapse of the Soviet Union but were later restored and continue to expand.

"Russians are our strategic partners and I always used to say Russians are a very principled nation, principled government, always. They have been with us during difficult times," Merdassa said.

Merdassa added that cooperation between Moscow and Addis Ababa in military aviation would become "stronger and stronger" in the future, describing Russia's aviation expertise as highly influential for Ethiopian pilots, engineers, and instructors.

"Russian instructors have a great role in shaping and training and making experienced pilots and technicians in Ethiopia," he stressed.

Beyond military cooperation, Russia and Ethiopia have been expanding ties in numerous areas. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening relations between the countries during a phone call in March, according to the Kremlin. The two leaders also agreed to intensify contacts at various levels.

Bilateral trade nearly tripled year-on-year in 2025 to more than $435 million, Russian Ambassador to Ethiopia Evgeny Terekhin told TASS in February, citing growth in Russian exports of fertilizers and machinery as well as rising Ethiopian coffee supplies to Russia.

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Russia and Ethiopia established diplomatic relations in 1943 and both countries maintain embassies in Addis Ababa and Moscow.

(RT.com)