Ethiopia is preparing to flex its military wings on the global stage, using its 90th-anniversary celebrations to project its air power to "those near and far," according to a top military commander. Brigadier General Meseret Getachew, Deputy Commander for the Heavy Maintenance Center, told ETV’s Agenda Hour that the milestone is more than just a commemoration; it is a definitive showcase of a modernized force that has reached its most reliable state in history.

The centerpiece of the festivities will be an international-standard "Black Lion" aerial display, alongside a major aviation expo and a gathering of regional military leaders at the African Air Forces Forum. In a move toward public transparency, the General noted that the events are open to the public, offering a rare look at the technology and personnel now guarding the nation's skies.

This surge in capability is the result of an ambitious institutional reform centered on the mantra of "building a great air force for a great nation." General Meseret highlighted that this evolution has combined high-tech combat assets with a newly specialized workforce, moving the force into a contemporary era of warfare. As regional dynamics continue to shift, the Deputy Commander reaffirmed that the Air Force maintains a constant, 24-hour vigil over Ethiopian airspace to ensure national sovereignty remains uncompromised.