Eritrean Air Force: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Air warfare branch of Eritrea's military}} |
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{{refimprove|date=November 2011}} |
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{{More citations needed|date=January 2022}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} |
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{{Infobox military unit |
{{Infobox military unit |
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|unit_name= Eritrean Air Force |
| unit_name = Eritrean Air Force |
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| native_name = |
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|image= |
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| start_date = {{start date and age|1994|df=yes}} |
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|caption= |
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| country = {{flag|Eritrea}} |
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|dates= 1994–present |
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| allegiance = |
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|country= {{flagicon|Eritrea}} [[Eritrea|State of Eritrea]] |
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| branch = |
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|allegiance= |
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| type = [[Air force]] |
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|branch= |
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| role = [[Aerial warfare]] |
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|type= [[Air force]] |
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| size = 19 aircraft - 2023<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/> |
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|role= |
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| command_structure = [[Eritrean Defence Forces]] |
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|size= |
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| garrison = [[Asmara]] |
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|command_structure= |
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| garrison_label = Headquarters |
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|garrison=[[Asmara|Asmara, Eritrea]] |
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| nickname = |
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|garrison_label=Headquarters |
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| patron = |
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|nickname= |
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| motto = |
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|patron= |
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| colours = |
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|motto= |
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| colours_label = |
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|colors=[[Green]], [[Blue]], [[Yellow]] and [[Red]] |
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| march = |
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|colors_label=Colors |
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| mascot = |
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|march= |
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| anniversaries = |
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|mascot= |
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|equipment= |
| equipment = |
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|equipment_label= |
| equipment_label = |
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| battles = *[[Eritrean–Ethiopian War]] |
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|battles= |
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*[[Tigray War]] |
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|anniversaries= |
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|decorations= |
| decorations = |
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|battle_honours= |
| battle_honours = |
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| battle_honours_label = |
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<!-- Commanders --> |
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| flying_hours = |
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|commander1= Teklai Habteselassie |
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| website = <!-- Commanders --> |
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|commander1_label= Commander |
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| commander1 = Teklai Habteselassie |
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|commander2= |
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| commander1_label = |
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|commander2_label= |
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| notable_commanders = <!-- Insignia --> |
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|commander3= |
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| identification_symbol = [[File:Roundel of Eritrea.svg|80px]] |
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|commander3_label= |
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| identification_symbol_label = [[Military aircraft insignia|Roundel]] |
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|notable_commanders= |
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| identification_symbol_2 = [[File:Flag of Eritrea.svg|80px]] |
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<!-- Insignia --> |
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| identification_symbol_2_label = [[Fin flash]] |
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|identification_symbol=[[Image:Eritrean Air Force roundel.svg|100px]] |
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<!-- Aircraft -->| aircraft_attack = [[Su-27]] |
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|identification_symbol_label=[[Roundel]] |
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| aircraft_bomber = |
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|identification_symbol_2=[[File:Flag of Eritrea.svg|100px]] |
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| aircraft_electronic = |
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|identification_symbol_2_label=[[Fin Flash]] |
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| aircraft_fighter = [[MIG-29]],[[Su-27]] |
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<!-- Aircraft --> |
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| |
| aircraft_helicopter = [[Mi-17]],[[Mi-8]],[[Bell 412]],[[Ansat]] |
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| aircraft_helicopter_attack = [[Mi-24]] |
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|aircraft_bomber= |
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| aircraft_helicopter_cargo = |
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|aircraft_electronic= |
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| aircraft_helicopter_multirole = |
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|aircraft_fighter=[[MiG-29]], [[Su-27]], [[MiG-21]] |
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| aircraft_helicopter_observation = |
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|aircraft_interceptor= |
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| aircraft_helicopter_trainer = |
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|aircraft_patrol= |
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| aircraft_helicopter_utility = [[Mil Mi-17]], [[Mi-8]],[[Bell 412]] |
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|aircraft_recon= |
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| aircraft_interceptor = [[Su-27]], [[MiG-29]] |
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|aircraft_trainer=[[Aermacchi M-290 RediGO|M-290]] |
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| aircraft_patrol = |
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|aircraft_transport=[[An-12]], [[Harbin Y-12|Y-12]], [[Mil Mi-8|Mi-8]] |
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| aircraft_recon = |
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| aircraft_trainer = [[MB-339]],[[Zlin143L]],[[Diamond DA 42]],[[Aermacchi 290TP]] |
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| aircraft_transport = [[Harbin Y-12|Y-12]], [[Beechcraft King Air 200]] |
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| aircraft_tanker = |
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| aircraft_general = |
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}} |
}} |
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The '''Eritrean Air Force''' ('''ERAF''') is the |
The '''Eritrean Air Force''' ('''ERAF''') is the [[Aerial warfare|air]] [[Military branch|service branch]] of the [[Eritrean Defence Forces]]. |
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==History== |
== History == |
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The Eritrean Air Force was established shortly after [[Eritrean War of Independence]] in 1994. It was first established by Commander Habtezion Hadgu, who used to be an Ethiopian Air force pilot during the |
The Eritrean Air Force was established shortly after [[Eritrean War of Independence]] in 1994. It was first established by Commander [[Habtezion Hadgu]], who used to be an Ethiopian Air force pilot during the Derg regime, and later defected in the late 1980s to the [[Eritrean People's Liberation Front|Eritrean People Liberation Front]] (EPLF), during the [[Eritrean War of Independence]]. When the air force was established, Commander Hadgu called many Eritrean officers who had formerly served in the Ethiopian Air force, including Col. Abraham (Chief of Staff), Col. Melake, Col. Mesfin, Col. Dr. Efrem and others, like Major Shekay, who came from Lebanon{{Citation needed|date=October 2012}}. His deputy was a veteran EPLF fighter, Major General Wedi Kahsay until he was sent to the northern zone as a commander of a regiment in the army. The director of Air Force Intelligence and Administration was also a veteran EPLF fighter, Col. Mussie Lebassi, a member of the 72nd intelligence unit of the EPLF, which was dissolved in 1994. After the [[Eritrean–Ethiopian War]], Commander Habtezion and Col. Mussie were later suspended from the air force. Eventually, the air force was taken over by Major General Teklay Habteselasie, who is also the commander of the Sawa military training camp. |
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The |
The original force was composed of abandoned [[Ethiopian Air Force]] aircraft that were left shortly after Eritrea's War of Independence. Several of the abandoned MiG-21s, which were captured from the Ethiopian Air Force, are believed to be no longer in service. The main airbase is at [[Asmara International Airport]], which is a combined civil/military base. Serials are sometimes, but not always, worn with 'ERAF' in front of the digits. |
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The air force has experienced a number of notable defections in recent years. In 2012 two high-ranking officers flew the air force's only luxury airplane out of the country to Saudi Arabia and sought asylum.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/10/why-two-eritrean-pilots-went-rogue-and-stole-their-presidents-plane/263553/|title=Why Two Eritrean Pilots Went Rogue and Stole Their President's Plane|last=Rosen|first=Armin|newspaper=The Atlantic|language=en-US|access-date=2016-10-27}}</ref> |
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==1998–2000 Eritrean-Ethiopian War== |
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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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scramble.nl/er.htm|title=Eritrean Republic Air Force Overview |publisher=[[Scramble (magazine)|Scramble]]|accessdate=2007-03-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Habte-Giorgis|first=Berhe|title=|url=http://www.ephrem.org/dehai_archive/1999/m8117.html|title=[DEHAI] capturing a helicopter |
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|accessdate=19 May 2012|newspaper=Dehai|date=19 Mar 1999}}</ref> In 2000 the ERAF bought eight Su-25's from Georgia, and six more MiG-29's from Moldova. In 2003 Eritrea also acquired several Su-27's.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.milavia.net/aircraft/su-27/su-27_ops.htm|title=Sukhoi Su-27 'Flanker' – Operator List|accessdate=2007-03-09}}</ref> |
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The Eritrean Air force trained and grew enormously in a short period and was able to challenge the Ethiopian army in the 1998 border conflict. Commander Habtezion along with young Air Force pilots retaliated in short time after the Ethiopian Air force bombed Asmara through their popular pilot General Bezabh Petros, who was in captive during the liberation war and recaptured for the second time in the 1998 war. |
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== Eritrean-Ethiopian War == |
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==Organization== |
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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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scramble.nl/er.htm|title=Eritrean Republic Air Force Overview|publisher=[[Scramble (magazine)|Scramble]]|access-date=9 March 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307143150/http://www.scramble.nl/er.htm|archive-date=7 March 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Habte-Giorgis|first=Berhe|url=http://www.ephrem.org/dehai_archive/1999/m8117.html|title=[DEHAI] capturing a helicopter|access-date=19 May 2012|newspaper=Dehai|date=19 March 1999|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102014847/http://www.ephrem.org/dehai_archive/1999/m8117.html|archive-date=2 November 2013}}</ref> In 2000 the ERAF bought eight Su-25s from Georgia, and six more MiG-29s from Moldova. In 2003 Eritrea also acquired several Su-27s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.milavia.net/aircraft/su-27/su-27_ops.htm|title=Sukhoi Su-27 'Flanker' – Operator List|access-date=9 March 2007}}</ref> |
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The Commander of the Eritrean Air Force is [[Major General]] Teklai Habteselassie. The official headquarters of the Eritrean Air Force is located in [[Asmara|Asmara, Eritrea]].<ref>{{cite web| accessdate = 2006-06-08| url = http://www.worldairforces.com/countries/eritrea/ERIaircraft.htm| title = Eritrea Aircraft}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> |
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The Eritrean Air force trained and grew enormously in a short period and was able to challenge the Ethiopian Air Force during the war. Commander Habtezion, along with young Air Force pilots, retaliated in short time after the Ethiopian Air force, led by popular pilot General Bezabh Petros – in captivity during the [[Eritrean War of Independence]] and recaptured again in the 1998 war – bombed Asmara. |
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== Organization == |
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Colonel Bezabih Petros was an Ethiopian pilot who was captured by the EPLF in 1980s. He was then released at the conclusion of the war of independence. However, he was captured once again after his plane was shot down from the Eritrean skies while conducting a bombing raid in 1999. |
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{{Location map many | Eritrea |
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| width = 300 |
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| float = right |
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| caption = {{center|Eritrean Air Force airbases}} |
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| label = <small>[[Asmara International Airport|Asmara Airport]]</small> |
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| pos = left |
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| bg = white |
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| mark = Gfi-set01-airport.png |
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| marksize = 12 |
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| lat_deg = 15 | lat_min = 17 |
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| lon_deg = 38 | lon_min = 54 |
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| label2 = <small>[[Assab International Airport|Assab Airport]]</small> |
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| pos2 = left |
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| bg2 = white |
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| mark2 = Gfi-set01-airport.png |
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| mark2size = 12 |
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| lat2_deg = 13 | lat2_min = 04 |
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| lon2_deg = 42 | lon2_min = 38 |
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| label3 = <small>[[Massawa International Airport|Massawa Airport]]</small> |
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| pos3 = right |
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| bg3 = white |
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| mark3 = Gfi-set01-airport.png |
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| mark3size = 12 |
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| lat3_deg = 15 | lat3_min = 41 |
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| lon3_deg = 39 | lon3_min = 22 |
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| label4 = <small>[[SAWA Defence Training Center|Sawa Airport]]</small> |
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| pos4 = right |
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| bg4 = white |
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| mark4 = Gfi-set01-airport.png |
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| mark4size = 12 |
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| lat4_deg = 15 | lat4_min = 41 |
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| lon4_deg = 36 | lon4_min = 58 |
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}} |
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== |
=== Structure === |
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* Headquarters of the Eritrean Air Force ([[Asmara]], Eritrea<ref>{{cite web| access-date = 8 June 2006| url = http://www.worldairforces.com/countries/eritrea/ERIaircraft.htm| title = Eritrea Aircraft}} {{dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>) |
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===Air-to-air missiles=== |
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* [[Asmara airport|Asmara Airport]] |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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* [[Assab International Airport]] |
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! style="text-align: left;"|Missile |
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* Sawa Airport ([[Forto]], [[Eritrea]]) |
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! style="text-align: left;"|Origin |
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* [[Massawa International Airport]] ([[Massawa, Eritrea]]) |
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! style="text-align: left;"|Notes |
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=== Commanders === |
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
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! rowspan="2" |{{Abbr|No.|Number}} |
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! rowspan="2" |Portrait |
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! rowspan="2" |Name |
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{{small|(birth–death)}} |
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! colspan="3" |Term of office |
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! rowspan="2" |{{Abbr|Ref.|Refences}} |
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|- |
|- |
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!Took office |
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| [[AA-2 Atoll]] || {{flag|Soviet Union}} |
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!Left office |
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!Time in office |
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|- style="background:#efefef;" |
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| colspan="7" |Commander of the Eritrean Air Force |
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|- |
|- |
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|1 |
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| [[AA-10 Alamo]] || {{flag|Russian Federation}} |
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| |
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|Brigadier General |
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'''[[Habtezion Hadgu]]''' |
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|1994 |
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|January 2003 |
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| |
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|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brigadier General Habtezion Hadgu Arrested, Again |url=http://www.ehrea.org/BrigadierGeneralHabtezionHadguArrested,%20Again.htm |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=www.ehrea.org}}</ref> |
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|- |
|- |
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|2 |
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| [[AA-11 Archer]] || {{flag|Russian Federation}} |
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| |
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|Colonel '''Abraham Ogbaselasse''' |
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|? |
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|? |
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| |
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| |
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|- |
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|3 |
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| [[AA-12 Adder]] || {{flag|Russian Federation}} |
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| |
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|Major General |
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'''Teklai Habteselassie''' |
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|circa 2003 |
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|''Incumbent'' |
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| |
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|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-08-31 |title=ERITREA : A Task-Mixing General - 31/08/2002 - The Indian Ocean Newsletter |url=https://www.africaintelligence.com/eastern-africa-and-the-horn/2002/08/31/a-task-mixing-general,4627625-art |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=Africa Intelligence |language=en}}</ref> |
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|} |
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==Aircraft |
== Aircraft == |
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=== Current inventory === |
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[[File:Eritrean Air Force Mil Mi-171 UR-SDV-1.jpg|thumb|Eritrean Air Force Mi-17]] |
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{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
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! style="text-align: |
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Aircraft |
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! style="text-align: |
! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Origin |
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! style="text-align: |
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;"|Type |
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! style="text-align:left; background:#acc;"|Variant |
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! style="text-align: left;"|In service<ref name="awst_20070115">"World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, ''[[Aviation Week & Space Technology]]'', January 15, 2007.</ref> |
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! style="text-align: |
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|In service |
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! style="text-align: center; background:#acc;"|Notes |
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|- |
|- |
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! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Military aircraft#Combat aircraft|Combat aircraft]] |
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|[[Aermacchi M-290 RediGO]] |
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|- |
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| trainer |
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| [[Sukhoi Su-27]] |
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| L-90TP |
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| [[Russia]] |
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| 8 |
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| [[Multirole combat aircraft|Multirole]] |
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| |
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|- |
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| [[Aermacchi MB-339]] |
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| attack |
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| MB-339C |
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| 12 |
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| |
| |
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| 2<ref name="World Air Forces 2024">{{cite report |last1=Hoyle |first1=Craig |title=World Air Forces 2024 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=98881 |website=FlightGlobal |publisher=Flight Global Insight |access-date=12 December 2023 |location=London |date=December 2023}}</ref> |
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|One used for conversion training |
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|- |
|- |
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! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Military transport aircraft|Transport]] |
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| [[Antonov An-12]] |
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| transport |
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|An-12 |
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| 2 |
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| |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Super King Air]] |
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| [[Xian MA-60]] |
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| [[United States]] |
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| transport |
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| [[Utility aircraft|Utility]] |
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| MA-60 |
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| [[Beechcraft Super King Air#Variants| 200]] |
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| 4 |
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| 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/> |
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| |
| |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[Harbin Y-12]] |
| [[Harbin Y-12]] |
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| [[China]] |
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| utility transport |
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| [[Military transport aircraft|Transport]] |
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| Y-12 |
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| 5 |
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| 4 delivered |
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|- |
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| [[IAI Astra]] |
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| VIP transport |
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| IAI Astra 1125 |
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| 1 |
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| |
| |
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|4<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/> |
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|- |
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| [[Mikoyan MiG-29]] |
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| fighter |
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| MiG-29 SM/UBT |
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| 18 |
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| |
| |
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|- |
|- |
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! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | [[Helicopter]]s |
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| rowspan="2"|[[Mil Mi-8]] |
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| rowspan="2"|transport helicopter |
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| Mi-8 |
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| 6 |
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| |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[Bell 412]] |
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| Mi-17 |
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| United States |
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| 4 |
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| [[Utility helicopter|Utility]] |
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| |
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|- |
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|rowspan="2"| [[Mil Mi-24]] |
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|rowspan="2"| attack helicopter |
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| Mi-24D/E |
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| 17 |
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| |
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|- |
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| Mi-35 |
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| 4 |
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| |
| |
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| 1<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/> |
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|- |
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| [[Sukhoi Su-25]] |
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| attack |
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| Su-25 |
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| 8 |
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| |
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|- |
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|rowspan="2"| [[Sukhoi Su-27]] |
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|rowspan="2"| fighter |
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| Su-27SK |
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|14 |
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| |
| |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[Mil Mi-17]] |
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|Su-27UB |
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| Russia |
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|2 |
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| Transport / Utility |
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| [[Mil Mi-17#Variants|Mi-17/171]] |
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| 8<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/> |
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| |
| |
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|- |
|- |
||
| |
| [[Mil Mi-24]] |
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| Russia |
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| transport helicopter |
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| [[Attack helicopter|Attack]] |
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| AB-412 |
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| [[List of Mil Mi-24 variants|Mi-35]] |
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| 4 |
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| 6<ref name="World Air Forces 2024"/> |
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| |
| |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[Bombardier Challenger 600]] |
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| VIP |
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|CL-601-3A |
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| 1 |
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| |
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|- |
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| [[Dornier Do 28]] |
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|Utility |
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|Skyservant |
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| 4 |
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| |
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|- |
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| [[Dornier Do 228]] |
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|Utility |
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| |
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|1 |
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| |
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|- |
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| [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21]] |
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|fighter |
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| |
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|6 |
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| |
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|- |
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| [[C-130|Lockheed C-130E/H Hercules]] |
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| Transport |
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| C-130E/H Hercules |
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| 6 |
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| |
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|} |
|} |
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Due to the lack of technical expertise with Russian aircraft, the Eritrean government maintained a contractual agreement with a Russian parastatal defense company to help upkeep its fleet of Russian manufactured fighter aircraft such as the [[MiG-29]] and [[Su-27]]. However this agreement ended since it was in violation of [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1907]] barring military technical assistance to Eritrea. It is believed that Eritrea's fleet of Russian fighter aircraft is suffering from a chronic lack of maintenance and as a result are rarely flown.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
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== Further reading == |
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* {{Cite book|author1=Cooper, Tom |author2=Weinert, Peter |title= African MiGs: Volume I: Angola to Ivory Coast |publisher= Harpia Publishing LLC |year= 2010 |isbn= 978-0-9825539-5-4}} |
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{{Air forces}} |
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==Further reading== |
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{{Authority control}} |
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*{{Cite book| author=Cooper, Tom & Weinert, Peter |title= African MiGs: Volume I: Angola to Ivory Coast |publisher= Harpia Publishing LLC |year= 2010 |isbn= 978-0-9825539-5-4}} |
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[[Category:Military of Eritrea]] |
[[Category:Military of Eritrea]] |
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[[Category:Military aviation in Africa]] |
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Latest revision as of 13:57, 10 December 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2022) |
| Eritrean Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1994 |
| Country |  Eritrea |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Size | 19 aircraft - 2023[1] |
| Part of | Eritrean Defence Forces |
| Headquarters | Asmara |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Teklai Habteselassie |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |  |
| Fin flash |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | Su-27 |
| Fighter | MIG-29,Su-27 |
| Helicopter | Mi-17,Mi-8,Bell 412,Ansat |
| Attack helicopter | Mi-24 |
| Utility helicopter | Mil Mi-17, Mi-8,Bell 412 |
| Interceptor | Su-27, MiG-29 |
| Trainer | MB-339,Zlin143L,Diamond DA 42,Aermacchi 290TP |
| Transport | Y-12, Beechcraft King Air 200 |
The Eritrean Air Force (ERAF) is the air service branch of the Eritrean Defence Forces.
History
[edit]The Eritrean Air Force was established shortly after Eritrean War of Independence in 1994. It was first established by Commander Habtezion Hadgu, who used to be an Ethiopian Air force pilot during the Derg regime, and later defected in the late 1980s to the Eritrean People Liberation Front (EPLF), during the Eritrean War of Independence. When the air force was established, Commander Hadgu called many Eritrean officers who had formerly served in the Ethiopian Air force, including Col. Abraham (Chief of Staff), Col. Melake, Col. Mesfin, Col. Dr. Efrem and others, like Major Shekay, who came from Lebanon[citation needed]. His deputy was a veteran EPLF fighter, Major General Wedi Kahsay until he was sent to the northern zone as a commander of a regiment in the army. The director of Air Force Intelligence and Administration was also a veteran EPLF fighter, Col. Mussie Lebassi, a member of the 72nd intelligence unit of the EPLF, which was dissolved in 1994. After the Eritrean–Ethiopian War, Commander Habtezion and Col. Mussie were later suspended from the air force. Eventually, the air force was taken over by Major General Teklay Habteselasie, who is also the commander of the Sawa military training camp.
The original force was composed of abandoned Ethiopian Air Force aircraft that were left shortly after Eritrea's War of Independence. Several of the abandoned MiG-21s, which were captured from the Ethiopian Air Force, are believed to be no longer in service. The main airbase is at Asmara International Airport, which is a combined civil/military base. Serials are sometimes, but not always, worn with 'ERAF' in front of the digits.
The air force has experienced a number of notable defections in recent years. In 2012 two high-ranking officers flew the air force's only luxury airplane out of the country to Saudi Arabia and sought asylum.[2]
Eritrean-Ethiopian War
[edit]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-27s with a purchase of MiG-29s.[3][4] In 2000 the ERAF bought eight Su-25s from Georgia, and six more MiG-29s from Moldova. In 2003 Eritrea also acquired several Su-27s.[5] The Eritrean Air force trained and grew enormously in a short period and was able to challenge the Ethiopian Air Force during the war. Commander Habtezion, along with young Air Force pilots, retaliated in short time after the Ethiopian Air force, led by popular pilot General Bezabh Petros – in captivity during the Eritrean War of Independence and recaptured again in the 1998 war – bombed Asmara.
Organization
[edit]
Eritrean Air Force airbases
Structure
[edit]- Headquarters of the Eritrean Air Force (Asmara, Eritrea[6])
- Asmara Airport
- Assab International Airport
- Sawa Airport (Forto, Eritrea)
- Massawa International Airport (Massawa, Eritrea)
Commanders
[edit]| No. | Portrait | Name
(birth–death) |
Term of office | Ref. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | Time in office | ||||
| Commander of the Eritrean Air Force | ||||||
| 1 | Brigadier General | 1994 | January 2003 | [7] | ||
| 2 | Colonel Abraham Ogbaselasse | ? | ? | |||
| 3 | Major General
Teklai Habteselassie |
circa 2003 | Incumbent | [8] | ||
Aircraft
[edit]Current inventory
[edit]
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircraft | ||||||
| Sukhoi Su-27 | Russia | Multirole | 2[1] | One used for conversion training | ||
| Transport | ||||||
| Super King Air | United States | Utility | 200 | 1[1] | ||
| Harbin Y-12 | China | Transport | 4[1] | |||
| Helicopters | ||||||
| Bell 412 | United States | Utility | 1[1] | |||
| Mil Mi-17 | Russia | Transport / Utility | Mi-17/171 | 8[1] | ||
| Mil Mi-24 | Russia | Attack | Mi-35 | 6[1] | ||
Due to the lack of technical expertise with Russian aircraft, the Eritrean government maintained a contractual agreement with a Russian parastatal defense company to help upkeep its fleet of Russian manufactured fighter aircraft such as the MiG-29 and Su-27. However this agreement ended since it was in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1907 barring military technical assistance to Eritrea. It is believed that Eritrea's fleet of Russian fighter aircraft is suffering from a chronic lack of maintenance and as a result are rarely flown.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g Hoyle, Craig (December 2023). World Air Forces 2024. FlightGlobal (Report). London: Flight Global Insight. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
- ^ Rosen, Armin. "Why Two Eritrean Pilots Went Rogue and Stole Their President's Plane". The Atlantic. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
- ^ "Eritrean Republic Air Force Overview". Scramble. Archived from the original on 7 March 2007. Retrieved 9 March 2007.
- ^ Habte-Giorgis, Berhe (19 March 1999). "[DEHAI] capturing a helicopter". Dehai. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
- ^ "Sukhoi Su-27 'Flanker' – Operator List". Retrieved 9 March 2007.
- ^ "Eritrea Aircraft". Retrieved 8 June 2006. [dead link]
- ^ "Brigadier General Habtezion Hadgu Arrested, Again". www.ehrea.org. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ^ "ERITREA : A Task-Mixing General - 31/08/2002 - The Indian Ocean Newsletter". Africa Intelligence. 31 August 2002. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
Further reading
[edit]- Cooper, Tom; Weinert, Peter (2010). African MiGs: Volume I: Angola to Ivory Coast. Harpia Publishing LLC. ISBN 978-0-9825539-5-4.