[Hawthorn]

I always thought the term "Ethiopian army" was some kinda joke. Maybe not?

[SteveMcKing]

In countries like that, the army is probably the one thing that works somewhat.

[Thrownatbirth]

I always thought the term "Ethiopian army" was some kinda joke. Maybe not?

The Ethiopian army fought an invasion Mussolini's fascist troops 1935-1936. There were tank battles and dogfights that were technically advanced for that time period, let alone in Africa. The Italians eventually won and the League of Nations, of course, did nothing. There was "peace in our time".

[Stonewall Jackson]

Fifteen or twenty years ago, that term was a joke. But the Ethiopian Army and Air Force are now among the best in their neck of the woods.

Only Egypt, Libya, and South Africa have organized armies larger than Ethiopia's (although quality is another matter) and the Ethiopian Air Force is second only to Egypt's in the whole of Africa (Libya has higher numbers, but the combat readiness of many of their aircraft is highly questionable).

[GretchenM]

I was a bit taken aback when I read the other day about the Ethiopian fighter jets that went into the fray.