Ethiopia/Russia: Whether the former Soviet Union was involved in training pilots of the Ethiopian Air Force during the Mengistu regime; if so, the length of the training, the designation received by the pilots, and any additional training offered (1986-1991)
| Publisher | Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa |
| Publication Date | 2 February 2006 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ZZZ100901.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ethiopia/Russia: Whether the former Soviet Union was involved in training pilots of the Ethiopian Air Force during the Mengistu regime; if so, the length of the training, the designation received by the pilots, and any additional training offered (1986-1991), 2 February 2006, ZZZ100901.E, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/45f147d119.html [accessed 21 May 2013] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Information on whether the former Soviet Union was involved in training programs for Ethiopian pilots during the rule of Lt. Col. Mengistu Haile Mariam was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. The United States (US) Department of State commented in background notes on Ethiopia that in December 1976, representatives of the Mengistu administration signed an agreement for military assistance with the Soviet Union (US Jan. 2006). The following year, according to the US Library of Congress, the Soviet Union began to "suppl[y] aircraft and instructors to Ethiopia" (ibid. 1991). With this military assistance, Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated in a 1990 report, the Mengistu regime was able to build up a "formidable air force" (HRW 24 July 1990). Without further elaboration, HRW pointed out in the same report that Ethiopian pilots had received training in the Soviet Union (ibid.). By 1991, the Ethiopian Air Force had approximately 4,500 officers and airmen who operated a total of 150 combat aircraft, "most of them Soviet manufactured fighter-bombers" (US 1991).
Soviet instructors, along with their Cuban counterparts, were initially assigned to the Genet Military Academy training complex in Ethiopia in the 1970s (ibid.). Soviet personnel also staffed the Armed Forces Staff Academy in Addis Ababa when it opened in 1987 (ibid.). An air force training centre was located at Debre Zeyit, and candidates who were selected to become pilots were sent to Dire Dawa for a flight-training program (ibid.). The Library of Congress remarked that Dornier, the West German aircraft manufacturer, provided pilot training at Debre Zeyit, and that furthermore, Ethiopian pilots and mechanics were given training in Britain (ibid.). The Africa Research Bulletin reported that, after contributing an estimated $6 billion to Ethiopia's military starting in 1977, the Soviet Union indicated that it would not renew the agreement for assistance, which was to expire in 1991 (15 June 1989, 9320).
Further information on pilot training by the former Soviet Union for the Ethiopian Air Force could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Africa Research Bulletin. 15 June 1989. Vol. 26 No. 6. "Ethiopia: Government under Pressure."
Human Rights Watch (HRW). 24 July 1990. "Ethiopia: 'Mengistu Has Decided to Burn Us Like Wood' – Bombing of Civilians and Civilian Targets by the Air Force." United States (US). January 2006. Department of State. "Background Note: Ethiopia." Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: Three oral sources did not provide information within the time constraints of this Response.
Publications: Dawit Wolde Giorgis. Red Tears: War, Famine and Revolution in Ethiopia. 1989.
Journal of Military History (Oct. 1997 – Oct. 2005)
Internet sites, including: Allafrica.com, Amnesty International, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), The Economist, EBSCO Host Electronic Journals Service (EJS), Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI), Factiva, International Crisis Group, Jane's Defence Weekly, Jane's Information Group, Southeast Asia Aerospace (International Air Force Directory).
_____. 1991. Library of Congress. "A Country Study: Ethiopia."
