Eritrea has acquired up to 10 MAPO MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters. Moldova is believed to have been the source of the aircraft. The fighters were the leftovers from a force inherited with the break-up of the Soviet Union. Up to 21 of the most airworthy were purchased by the US in 1997 in a pre-emptive bid to prevent rogue states such as Iran from buying the aircraft after Moldova put the entireMiG-29 force up for sale. Eritrea is involved in a border dispute with neighbouring Ethiopia and both sides have been building combat aircraft inventories.
Source: Flight International
