Azerbaijan Moves to Strengthen Defense Ties with Ethiopia Through New Bilateral Agreement
Baku, The Gulf Observer: Azerbaijan is taking a significant step to expand its international defense partnerships, as a draft law approving a bilateral military cooperation agreement with Ethiopia has been submitted to the Milli Majlis.
According to official reports, the draft legislation seeks to ratify the “Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Defense between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.” The proposal is scheduled to be reviewed on April 14 during a նիստ of the parliament’s Committee on International Relations and Interparliamentary Relations.
The initiative reflects Azerbaijan’s ongoing efforts to deepen defense diplomacy and modernize its armed forces. In recent years, the country has substantially increased its military spending, allocating over $3 billion annually to defense and security. The investments have primarily focused on advanced technologies, including unmanned systems, as well as comprehensive military modernization following the 44-day war.
Azerbaijan’s domestic defense industry has also witnessed steady growth, with increasing production of military equipment and enhanced cooperation with international partners in areas such as training, logistics, and joint exercises.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia—one of Africa’s leading military powers—has been actively pursuing reforms to modernize its defense sector and diversify its global partnerships. With a defense budget of approximately $3.7 billion, Ethiopia ranks among the top military spenders on the continent.
The proposed agreement is expected to open new avenues for collaboration between the two countries, reinforcing strategic ties and contributing to broader regional and international security cooperation.
