Facilities

Bishoftu Automotive Engineering Industry is an Ethiopian manufacturing and assembly center for heavy armament, tanks and military vehicles. It is one of the organizations of the Ethiopian Defense Industry supporting the Ethiopian National Defense Force. The complex was set up in 1987 as a heavy repair center for tanks and armored vehicles. The Derg regime had plans to eventually produce tanks, armored vehicles, aircraft missiles like air-to-air missiles and SCUD missiles at the complex. In 2025 the organisation was taken over by the state-run Defense Engineering Industry Corporation, it had previously sat under the civilian-focussed Ethio Engineering Group. One among the few home grown manufacturing sectors is the huge Bishoftu Automotive Industry outside Addis Ababa. The complex is structured in five departments as follows: • Tanks and armored vehicles manufacturing Rebuild of all tanks and armored vehicles used by Ethiopian forces. • Military Vehicles manufacturing Maintaining light and heavy trucks used by the Ethiopian ground forces. • Motor manufacturing and Mechanical workshop The department manufacturing engines and produces spare parts for tanks, armored vehicles and military trucks. • Medium and Heavy weapons manufacturing and electroplating section Repair and support of supply logistics by repairing and overhauling medium and heavy weapons. The electroplating shop is the largest both in its diversity and capacity in Ethiopia. • Communications Apparatus manufacturing and Maintenance Section Repair and maintain various communications apparatuses and electronic equipment in use with the Ethiopian forces.