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. The Eritrean War of Independence started in 1962 when Emperor Haile Sellassie of Ethiopia unilaterally dissolved the Eritrean parliament and annexed the country. ... Eritreas military role stems from its strategic geographical location. ...

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] Combatants Eritrea Ethiopia Commanders Sebhat Ephrem Samora Mohammed Yunis Casualties 19,000 (Eritrean opposition and state official count, backed with names and date of death in combat) More than 123,000 upto 155,000[1] The Eritrean-Ethiopian War took place from May 1998 to June 2000 between Ethiopia and... The term arms race in its original usage describes a competition between two or more parties for military supremacy. ... The Sukhoi Su-27 (NATO reporting name Flanker) is a Russian fighter aircraft designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau (SDB). ... The Mikoyan MiG-29 (NATO reporting name Fulcrum) is a Russian fighter aircraft used in the air superiority role. ...

The Commander of the Eritrean Air Force is Major General Teklai Habteselassie. The Eritrean Air Force ^[3] Headquarters is in Asmara, Eritrea. Asmara Asmara (formerly Asmera) is the capital city and largest settlement in Eritrea, home to a population of around 579,000 people. ...

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-25	Russia	attack	6
Sukhoi Su-27	Russia	fighter		6

A single IAI Astra 1125 may remain in service. The Aermacchi M-290 TP RediGO is a turboprop-powered military basic trainer aircraft. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Finland_(bordered). ... This aircraft article has not been updated to WikiProject Aircrafts current standards. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Italy. ... The Antonov An-12 (NATO reporting name: Cub) is a four-engined turboprop transport aircraft. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia_(bordered). ... The Harbin Y-12 is a high wing twin-engine turboprop utility aircraft built by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation (HAMC). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... The Mikoyan MiG-29 (Russian: ) (NATO reporting name Fulcrum) is a fighter aircraft designed for the air superiority role in the Soviet Union. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia_(bordered). ... The Mil Mi-8 (NATO reporting name Hip) is a large twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia_(bordered). ... The Mil Mi-24 is a large combat helicopter gunship and low-capacity troop transport operated from 1976 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and over thirty other nations. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia_(bordered). ... Su-25SM The Su-25 (NATO reporting name Frogfoot) is a battlefield attack, close air support, and anti-tank aircraft designed by the Soviet Union. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia_(bordered). ... The Sukhoi Su-27 (Су-27 in the Cyrillic alphabet) (NATO reporting name Flanker) is originally a Soviet fighter aircraft designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau (SDB). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia_(bordered). ... This aircraft article has not been updated to WikiProject Aircrafts current standards. ...

References

1. ^ Eritrean Republic Air Force Overview. Retrieved on 2007-03-09.
2. ^ Sukhoi Su-27 'Flanker' - Operator List. Retrieved on 2007-03-09.
3. ^ Eritrea Aircraft. Retrieved on 2006-06-08.
4. ^ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 15, 2007.