Defense Industry Sector (Ethiopia)
Encyclopedia
The Ethiopian Defense Industry sector is an office under the Ministry of Defense
responsible for administering several defense industries. Its objective is to provide for and support the Ethiopian National Defense Force.
. Historical records show Emperor Tewodros built a huge cannon called Sebastopol
in 1868, in Gondar Province at a village named Gafat, and took it to the mountain of Maqdala. Later, under the reign of Emperor Menelik, an ammunition factory was established in 1911, which started producing bullet for Wejigra and Wechefor rifles.
The basis for modern defense industry was laid with the establishment of the then Emperor Haile Selassie ammunition factory in 1953 with the cooperation of the government of Czechoslovakia. Its objective was to locally manufacture ammunition for light weapons. In 1984, it was expanded with newer technology and more capacity.
Due to the serious attention given towards building a strong defense industry, the Derg
regime set out to build various defense factories with support from the former Soviet Union and other eastern block nations. In 1986, the government issued a directive to form a Defense Industry Commission reporting to the council of ministers which would be responsible for administration, production and strategic direction. Experts from the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Industry and Ethiopian Management Institute were drawn to study the establishment of the commission. In 1991, the commission (renamed Basic Materials and Engineering Industry Commission) was administering four production facilities.
While the number of military production facilities grew, the structure remained unchanged until 2004 when a new body Defense Industry Coordinating Office was created to administer all factories, including those under the National Defense Force. In 2007, the Defense Industry Coordinating Office was renamed Defense Industry Sector and put under the Ministry of National Defense
.
Ministry of Defense (Ethiopia)
The Ministry of National Defense of Ethiopia is a cabinet level office in charge of defense related matters of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia...
responsible for administering several defense industries. Its objective is to provide for and support the Ethiopian National Defense Force.
History
The manufacturing of weaponry in Ethiopia was started in the 18th century during the era of Emperor TewodrosTewodros II of Ethiopia
Tewodros II was the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1855 until his death....
. Historical records show Emperor Tewodros built a huge cannon called Sebastopol
Sebastopol (cannon)
Sebastopol was the name of a huge mortar commissioned by the Ethiopian Emperor Tewodros II. The name derived from that of the Crimean town Sevastopol, the site of a battle during the Crimean War....
in 1868, in Gondar Province at a village named Gafat, and took it to the mountain of Maqdala. Later, under the reign of Emperor Menelik, an ammunition factory was established in 1911, which started producing bullet for Wejigra and Wechefor rifles.
The basis for modern defense industry was laid with the establishment of the then Emperor Haile Selassie ammunition factory in 1953 with the cooperation of the government of Czechoslovakia. Its objective was to locally manufacture ammunition for light weapons. In 1984, it was expanded with newer technology and more capacity.
Due to the serious attention given towards building a strong defense industry, the Derg
Derg
The Derg or Dergue was a Communist military junta that came to power in Ethiopia following the ousting of Haile Selassie I. Derg, which means "committee" or "council" in Ge'ez, is the short name of the Coordinating Committee of the Armed Forces, Police, and Territorial Army, a committee of...
regime set out to build various defense factories with support from the former Soviet Union and other eastern block nations. In 1986, the government issued a directive to form a Defense Industry Commission reporting to the council of ministers which would be responsible for administration, production and strategic direction. Experts from the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Industry and Ethiopian Management Institute were drawn to study the establishment of the commission. In 1991, the commission (renamed Basic Materials and Engineering Industry Commission) was administering four production facilities.
While the number of military production facilities grew, the structure remained unchanged until 2004 when a new body Defense Industry Coordinating Office was created to administer all factories, including those under the National Defense Force. In 2007, the Defense Industry Coordinating Office was renamed Defense Industry Sector and put under the Ministry of National Defense
Ministry of Defense (Ethiopia)
The Ministry of National Defense of Ethiopia is a cabinet level office in charge of defense related matters of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia...
.
Organizations
Currently, there are 8 organizations administered by DIS:- Hibret Machine Tools Engineering ComplexHibret Machine Tools Engineering ComplexHibret Machine Tools is military-civil engineering complex of the Ethiopian Defense Industry. It specializes in production of medium weapons for the Ethiopian National Defense Force.-History:...
- Gafat Armament Engineering ComplexGafat Armament Engineering ComplexGafat Armament Engineering Complex is one of the military production facilities of the Ethiopian Defense Industry. With its headquarters in Debre Zeyit, it specializes in producing wide range of infantry equipment that meet the requirement of the Ethiopian National Defense Force.-History:It was...
- Homicho Ammunition Engineering ComplexHomicho Ammunition Engineering ComplexHomicho Ammunition Engineering Complex is one of the military production facilities of the Ethiopian Defense Industry Sector. It specializes in producing wide range of ammunition for use by the Ethiopian National Defense Force.-History:...
- Bishoftu Motorization Engineering ComplexBishoftu Motorization Engineering ComplexBishoftu Motorization Engineering Complex is a repair and overhaul center for heavy armament, tanks and military vehicles. It is one of the organizations of the Ethiopian Defense Industry supporting the Ethiopian National Defense Force.-History:...
- Dejen Aviation Engineering ComplexDAVECThe Dejen Aviation Engineering Complex is a center for overhauling and upgrading military aircraft. Its primary objective is to provide depot level maintenance and carry out upgrading/modification to the fleet of the Ethiopian Air Force...
- Nazareth Canvass and Garment FactoryNazareth Canvass and Garment FactoryNazareth Canvas and Garment Factory is one of the organizations of the Ethiopian Defense Industry. It produces and supplies military uniforms, canvas, leather and strap products to the Ethiopian National Defense Force.-History:...
- Zuqualla Steel Rolling Mill
- Branna Printing Enterprise