#Ethiopia, #Azerbaijan agree to deepen cooperation in defense industry

Ethiopia and Azerbaijan agreed to “expand military-industrial cooperation” following a bilateral discussion between senior defense officials in Addis Abeba, Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed Mussa said after receiving a delegation led by Azerbaijan’s Minister of Defense Industry, Vugar Mustafayev.

Aisha said the meeting focused on strengthening collaboration in defense manufacturing and advancing Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts to build domestic military production capacity. “We agreed to work collaboratively in the military industry sectors and to strengthen our relationship,” she stated.

She noted that Ethiopia is prioritizing development of its defense industry infrastructure and intends to draw on Azerbaijan’s experience. “Ethiopia is currently working focused on strengthening its defense industry infrastructure,” she said, adding that the government is ready to deepen cooperation in “military science and technology, industrial capacity, and related issues.”

Minister Ayisha cited Vugar Mustafayev as stating Azerbaijan’s readiness to expand defense cooperation, with a focus on knowledge transfer. Azerbaijan is prepared to share expertise “especially in the defense industry sector,” and expressed Azerbaijan’s interest in making Ethiopia “a defense industry partner,” the Minister said.

Details on specific projects or agreements have not yet been disclosed.