Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10ASMARA35
2010-02-16 12:15:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
ERITREA'S AIR FORCE, SANCTIONS, AND RUSSIA
how-toINFO LOG-00 EEB-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 COME-00 INL-00 DOEE-00 DOTE-00 PERC-00 PDI-00 DS-00 EAP-00 EUR-00 OIGO-00 FAAE-00 VCI-00 FRB-00 H-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 INSE-00 L-00 MOFM-00 MOF-00 M-00 VCIE-00 NRC-00 NRRC-00 NSAE-00 ISN-00 OES-00 OIG-00 NIMA-00 PM-00 GIWI-00 P-00 ISNE-00 FMPC-00 SP-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 T-00 CBP-00 BBG-00 IIP-00 SCRS-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-00 G-00 SCA-00 CARC-00 SAS-00 FA-00 SWCI-00 PESU-00 SANA-00 /000W P 161215Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0706 INFO IGAD COLLECTIVE AMEMBASSY MOSCOW AMEMBASSY SOFIA CIA WASHDC DIA WASHDC NSC WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE COMUSNAVCENT
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000035
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2019
TAGS: PREL PARM MOPS ER RU
SUBJECT: ERITREA'S AIR FORCE, SANCTIONS, AND RUSSIA
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000035
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2019
TAGS: PREL PARM MOPS ER RU
SUBJECT: ERITREA'S AIR FORCE, SANCTIONS, AND RUSSIA
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d)
1. (C) ERITREA'S RUSSIAN MIGS
--------------
The Eritrean Air Force flies a number of MiG-29 fighters
purchased from Russia. To maintain these front-line
aircraft, the Isaias regime entered into a technical services
contract with a Russian parastatal corporation. At least
three Russian and a number of Belarusian aviation technicians
lived in Asmara and serviced the MiGs. On December 23rd, the
Security Council adopted UNSCR 1907, imposing an arms embargo
and other sanctions on Eritrea. The resolution mandated,
inter alia, that all UN member states shall "prevent the sale
or supply to Eritrea by their nationals or from their
territories... of technical assistance, training, financial
and other assistance, related to the military activities or
to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of these
items..."
2. (C) RUSSIAN AVIATION TECHNICIANS "HAVE LEFT"
-------------- --
Russian Ambassador Igor Chubarov (protect) said he met with
the Russian aviation technicians and contacted "Mikoyan
Corporation" (presumably the Mikoyan division of Russia's
United Aircraft Corporation) in mid-January to discuss UNSCR
1907. "Not wanting to be in violation of the UN sanctions,
the technicians left." Chubarov told the ambassador February
12 that "since January, I haven't seen any Russian or other
Slavic aircraft technicians in Asmara." Eritrea's army has
several hundred modern Russian-designed heavy battle tanks.
Chubarov intimated that there might have been some technical
assistance provided by "Slavs" to the Eritrean army to
maintain the tanks, but he was uncertain whether it continued
or not.
3. (C) BUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE SUKOIS?
--------------
Before mid-January the Eritrean Air Force typically parked
one Su-27 (reportedly of Ukrainian provenance) and two or
three MiG-29s on the tarmac of the military wing of Asmara
International Airport. Since early February emboffs have
twice seen two Su-27s and no MiG-29s at the Asmara airport.
Emboffs' ability to visually survey the military wing of the
Asmara airport is limited and irregular, but the MiGs'
absence may indicate that they've been garaged due to limited
maintenance. Post wonders who, if anyone, might be
maintaining the Su-27s? Observers in Asmara speculate that
the potential grounding of Eritrea's top air superiority
fighters would at least temporarily crimp the Isaias regime's
ability to wage a conventional war against Ethiopia or
another foe.
McMullen
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2019
TAGS: PREL PARM MOPS ER RU
SUBJECT: ERITREA'S AIR FORCE, SANCTIONS, AND RUSSIA
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d)
1. (C) ERITREA'S RUSSIAN MIGS
--------------
The Eritrean Air Force flies a number of MiG-29 fighters
purchased from Russia. To maintain these front-line
aircraft, the Isaias regime entered into a technical services
contract with a Russian parastatal corporation. At least
three Russian and a number of Belarusian aviation technicians
lived in Asmara and serviced the MiGs. On December 23rd, the
Security Council adopted UNSCR 1907, imposing an arms embargo
and other sanctions on Eritrea. The resolution mandated,
inter alia, that all UN member states shall "prevent the sale
or supply to Eritrea by their nationals or from their
territories... of technical assistance, training, financial
and other assistance, related to the military activities or
to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of these
items..."
2. (C) RUSSIAN AVIATION TECHNICIANS "HAVE LEFT"
-------------- --
Russian Ambassador Igor Chubarov (protect) said he met with
the Russian aviation technicians and contacted "Mikoyan
Corporation" (presumably the Mikoyan division of Russia's
United Aircraft Corporation) in mid-January to discuss UNSCR
1907. "Not wanting to be in violation of the UN sanctions,
the technicians left." Chubarov told the ambassador February
12 that "since January, I haven't seen any Russian or other
Slavic aircraft technicians in Asmara." Eritrea's army has
several hundred modern Russian-designed heavy battle tanks.
Chubarov intimated that there might have been some technical
assistance provided by "Slavs" to the Eritrean army to
maintain the tanks, but he was uncertain whether it continued
or not.
3. (C) BUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE SUKOIS?
--------------
Before mid-January the Eritrean Air Force typically parked
one Su-27 (reportedly of Ukrainian provenance) and two or
three MiG-29s on the tarmac of the military wing of Asmara
International Airport. Since early February emboffs have
twice seen two Su-27s and no MiG-29s at the Asmara airport.
Emboffs' ability to visually survey the military wing of the
Asmara airport is limited and irregular, but the MiGs'
absence may indicate that they've been garaged due to limited
maintenance. Post wonders who, if anyone, might be
maintaining the Su-27s? Observers in Asmara speculate that
the potential grounding of Eritrea's top air superiority
fighters would at least temporarily crimp the Isaias regime's
ability to wage a conventional war against Ethiopia or
another foe.
McMullen