Eritrean Air Force

The Eritrea Air Force is the air force branch of the Eritrean Defense Forces, the military forces of the East African country of Eritrea. Established in 1994 following the country's independence from Ethiopia, the Eritrea Air Force primarily operates to protect Eritrean airspace and support ground forces in various operations. The Air Force operates a small fleet of aircraft, including fighter jets, helicopters, and transport planes. The majority of its fleet consists of aging Soviet-era warplanes and helicopters, such as MiG-29 fighter jets and Mi-8 transport helicopters. The air force has limited resources and has not announced any significant acquisition of new aircraft in recent years. Its primary role is to maintain air sovereignty and provide close air support to ground operations. The Eritrea Air Force has participated in conflicts, notably the Eritrean-Ethiopian War from 1998 to 2000, where it engaged Ethiopian air assets.

Key facts

Official Name	Eritrean Air Force
Local Name	Temesgen Awlaɖ'ɖuf Zena Sewą' Etayeħat Hagerawi Guday
Country	🇪🇷 Eritrea
World rank	#105
Active aircrafts	33 (as of 2024)
Aircrafts on order	0
Roundel

Number of active aircrafts by type

Aircraft type	Active
Helicopters	13
Combat aircrafts	8
Training	7
Transport	5

Aircrafts most used by Eritrean air forces

Aircraft	Active	Type
MiG-29 Fulcrum	7	Soviet twin-engine fighter jet, notable in late Cold War clashes, widely exported and integral to various aerial engagements globally.
MB-339	6	Italian trainer aircraft, recognized for its Cold War era inception, extensively deployed for advanced pilot training and light attack roles.
Mi-17 Hip-H	6	Soviet transport helicopter, prominently deployed during Afghan War, globally used for cargo, troop transport, and rescue missions.
Mi-24 Hind	6	Soviet attack helicopter, renowned for Cold War use, predominantly deployed for airborne assault, close combat, and anti-armour roles.
Y-12	4	Chinese twin-engine light utility aircraft, recognized from its 1980s development, frequently used for passenger and cargo transportation.
Su-27 Flanker	2	Soviet-originated multirole fighter, distinguished for deployments during the Cold War, globally utilized in air superiority missions.
King Air 90	1	American twin-turboprop aircraft, prominently deployed for utility, corporate, and military purposes from the 1960s onward.
UH-1 Iroquois "Huey"	1	American utility helicopter, essential in the Vietnam War, extensively employed for medevac, transport, and combat operations.

Full inventory in 2024