At one point Somalia had one of the best equipped and properly managed militaries in East Africa. Its military strength stood at 24, 450 personnel in 1975.
In the same period in the entire East Africa,Kenya was ill-equipped and poorly manned with only 9, 200 military personnel. Ethiopia had 53,500 , Uganda 18,650, and Tanzania 16,530.
In terms of offensive equipment. Jet Bombers: Ethiopia had 4 (B-57) , Somalia had 3 (IL-28), and Kenya had 6 (BAC 167). Both Tanzania and Uganda had none. Tanks: Ethiopia 82 ,Somalia 180, Kenya none, Tanzania 40, Uganda 78. Armoured vehicles: Ethiopia 140, Somalia 368, Kenya 73, Tanzania 78, and Uganda 116.
In terms of defensive equipment. Jet fighters and trainers: Ethiopia 35, Somalia 45, Kenya 3, Tanzania 20, Uganda 53. Air Defence Artillery: Ethiopia 44, Somalia 325, Kenya none, Tanzania 375, Uganda 81. AT weapons/Rocket launchers: Ethiopia 3400, Somalia 145, Kenya 475, Tanzania 430, Uganda 20.
Other equipment: Naval craft: Ethiopia 15, Somalia 12, Kenya 4, Tanzania 10, Uganda none, Kenya 4. Mortars: Ethiopia 745, Somalia 114, Kenya 129, Tanzania 148, Uganda 80. Fully Automatic guns 75mm and above: Ethiopia 93, Somalia 220, Kenya none, Tanzania 109,Uganda 24. Recoiless Rifles: Ethiopia 504, Somalia 96, Kenya 20, Tanzania 130, Uganda 36. Helicopters: Ethiopia 6, Somalia 12, Kenya and Tanzania none, Uganda 9.
Of all the countries listed above, Kenya feared Uganda and Somalia because of their expansionist policies. Fearing that Somalia could launch an attack and claim the North Eastern part, Kenya desperately reached out to Britain to help it equip its military, but the British were hesitant to provide such aid. Instead, they made a commitment to directly intervene in case Somalia attacked Kenya. This commitment was called the Bamburi understanding, and it stated, “If Kenya were the victim of ‘outright aggression’ by Somalia, the British government would give the situation “most urgent consideration. ”
Meanwhile, Kenya also signed another military pact with Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia. According to the pact, Ethiopia was to come to Kenya’s rescue in case it was attacked by Somalia. This commitment was renewed by Mengistu Haile Mariam when Moi visited Addis after taking over the presidency.
Feeling threatened by Uganda, Kenya turned to the US for air power. The US initially refused to sell Kenya jets and instead decided to use their own military assets in the Indian Ocean and Kenya to scare off Amin. They eventually agreed to sell Kenya jets on credit terms after Mzee Jomo Kenyatta threatened to turn to the Soviet for military assistance.
Today has Somalia has one of the most poorly equipped and ill manned militaries in East Africa. It tells you what a civil war can do to a country. But they are slowly rising from the rubbles of many years of civil war.
