Eritrean Air Force
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The Eritrean Air Force was established shortly after Eritrean War of Independence in 1994. The make-up of the original force was composed of aircraft that were abandoned by the defeated Ethiopian armed forces. The Eritrean Air Force is a smaller branch of the Eritrean Defence Forces.
Expansion of the Eritrean Air Force (ERAF) did not occur until the Eritrean-Ethiopian War in which the two air forces fought for superiority. In a sort of arms race Eritrea responded to Ethiopia's purchase of SU-27's with a purchase of MiG-29's.[1] Also during the border was with Ethiopia, Eritrea captured attack helicopters from Ethiopia. In 2000 the ERAF bought eight Su-25's from Georgia, and six more MiG-29's from Moldavia. In 2003 Eritrea also acquired several Su-27's.[2]
The Commander of the Eritrean Air Force is Major General Teklai Habteselassie. The Eritrean Air Force [3] Headquarters is in Asmara, Eritrea.
[edit] Aircraft Inventory
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service[4] | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aermacchi M-290 RediGO |  Finland |
trainer | L-90TP | 8 | |
| Aermacchi MB-339 |  Italy |
attack | MB-339C | 3 | |
| Antonov An-12 |  Russia |
transport | An-12 | 6 | |
| Harbin Y-12 |  China |
utility transport | 3 | ||
| Mikoyan MiG-29 | Russia |
fighter trainer |
MiG-29 MiG-29UB |
5 2 |
|
| Mil Mi-8 | Russia |
transport helicopter | Mi-8 Mi-17 |
2 1 |
|
| Mil Mi-24 | Russia |
attack helicopter | Mi-24D Mi-35 |
10 5 |
|
| Sukhoi Su-27 | Russia |
fighter | 6 |
A single IAI Astra 1125 may remain in service.
[edit] References
- ^ Eritrean Republic Air Force Overview. Retrieved on 2007-03-09.
- ^ Sukhoi Su-27 'Flanker' - Operator List. Retrieved on 2007-03-09.
- ^ Eritrea Aircraft. Retrieved on 2006-06-08.
- ^ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 15, 2007.
