Could Ethiopia’s new drone assembly lines mark its entry into the arms race?

Ethiopian government has begun operating assembly lines for drones in the capital, a significant move to reduce dependence on imported unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen military capabilities and build a self-sustaining defense industry.

A new facility, Sky Win Aviation Industries, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on 8 March 2025. Officially, it is presented as a dual-use enterprise — producing UAVs for both civilian and military applications. For now, the plant focuses on assembling, testing, and maintaining drones from imported components. Airframes and launch/landing systems are being shipped from Chinese suppliers, while local engineers handle final assembly and integration.

At the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed highlighted the achievement as “a significant milestone,” noting that Ethiopia’s ability to design and build drones entirely through the efforts of its “young professionals” marked a new chapter in national innovation. He emphasized that sustaining this momentum would require “continuous research, expand our market reach, and strengthen local production of smart sensor technologies.” The Prime Minister also underscored that such advancements are driven not by the desire to wage war, but to “prevent it.” By strengthening deterrence, he said, the country aims to safeguard peace and stability in the face of external threats.

Officials describe this as the first phase of a longer-term plan to increase local content. In later stages, the government intends to produce engines, sensors, and guidance systems domestically, as part of a broader strategy to localize the defense supply chain.

This development builds on Ethiopia’s growing experience with drones since 2021, when imported UAVs from Turkey, China, and Iran played a key role in the country’s Tigray war, which claimed the lives of more than half a million people and perpetuated unprecedented levels of war crimes and sexual violence.

Documented models in Ethiopian service include the Bayraktar TB2 (Turkey), Wing Loong (China), and Mohajer-6 (Iran). These drones were supplied through regional distributors and accompanied by imported munitions. However, the operational dependence on foreign sources has highlighted vulnerabilities, especially in maintenance and spare parts availability, prompting Addis Ababa to develop domestic assembly and servicing capacity.

Parallel to the Sky Win facility, additional local projects have emerged. One is Aero Abay, a site presented as a production line for loitering munitions or “suicide drones.” During a tour in September 2025, Prime Minister Abiy announced plans to produce a “high number of suicidal drones” of such systems, signaling a shift from operating imported drones to manufacturing lower-cost local versions.

Ethiopia’s growing drone sector, however, faces ethical and legal challenges. Across Africa, the rapid spread of UAVs has been accompanied by reports of civilian casualties. Independent research has documented hundreds of civilian deaths linked to drone strikes in Ethiopia and neighboring countries over the past three years. Analysts warn that local production, without clear rules of engagement, oversight, and accountability, could deepen humanitarian risks.

For now, Addis Ababa appears to be following a gradual path: starting with assembly from Chinese kits, building up technical know-how, and eventually seeking technology transfer and component manufacturing. The success of this effort will depend on the new factories’ ability to ensure reliable supply chains, operational safety, and adherence to international standards—in a regional environment where competition and scrutiny are both intensifying.