ASMARA, Eritrea -- Russian MiG-29 jet fighter planes were seen flying over Asmara this week, confirming speculation that Eritrea's air force had acquired as many as 10 of the aircraft as its border dispute with Ethiopia continues to fester.
More than a dozen officials from the Russian Ministry of Aviation Production have been in the Eritrean capital, and Russian pilots and technicians have also been seen.
There has been no official comment on the additions to the Eritrean air force, which greatly increase its power and range.
Until now, the air force consisted of six Italian Aermacchi MB-339CD training jets converted to attack aircraft, eight Finnish Rodigo trainers and a couple of Mi-17 helicopters.
Earlier this month, Russia struck a deal to sell neighboring Ethiopia fighter jets, combat helicopters, and other military hardware.
Defense sources say four Su-27 fighters and several Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters are expected to be delivered by the end of the month.
According to the analysts, Ethiopia already owns 70 Soviet-era MiG-23s, and an Israeli firm recently agreed to sell Addis Ababa 10 upgraded MiG-21 Lancer fighters.
Eritrea is embroiled in a seven-month standoff in its border dispute with its larger southern neighbor. There has been relative calm since heavy battles in May and June, but both sides have been importing millions of dollars' worth of weaponry and reinforcing their troop positions.
Jane's Defense Weekly says the current price of a MiG-29 ranges from $20 million to $25 million new, including a training and start-up package. Used models go for $15 million to $20 million.
Eritrea's spending on defense last year totaled $87 million. The country's total expenditures for the current year were forecast at about $340 million.
It is estimated that 200,000 soldiers now face each other along the 1,000-kilometer border.
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