webmaster
© Copyright DEHAI-Eritrea OnLine, 1993-2011
All rights reserved
From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Tue Jul 05 2011 - 13:05:24 EDT
http://www.theafricareport.com/archives2/politics/5166142-ethiopia-to-get-armoured-tanks-amid-eritrea-and-somali-threats.html
Ethiopia to get armoured tanks amid Eritrea and Somali threats Tuesday, 05
July 2011 16:49 Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi on Tuesday said his
government' will buy 200 amoured tanks to replace an old fleet as the
country moves strengthen its defense capacity.
Meles told parliament that government had allocated about 1.2 percent of its
US$ 6.8 billion 2011/2012 budget to security.
“This defense budget includes the buying of 200 tanks, which some of you
are asking for clarification,” he said.
He said the current tanks, aged between 50 and 60 years old can longer
travel more than 200 kilometers for a military operation.
“Many of these old tanks are above the age of the majority of you MPs here
in the house,” Meles said.
The PM said the tanks, mostly second hand, will be upgraded to fit the
military’s expectations. He stopped short of mentioning the origin of the
tanks.
But there were reports that Ethiopia had agreed to buy around 200 T-72
tanks worth over US$100 million from Ukraine.
A news agency claimed that the deal was made last month between the
Ethiopian government and unnamed Ukrainian arms dealers.
Ethiopia is battling an armed rebellion in the oil rich Orgaden region near
Somalia. It also accuses its neighbour Eritrea of sponsoring insurgents who
enter its territory.
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----