Використання авіації у Перуано-еквадорських збройних конфліктах ХХ століття

Abstract

This article analyzes the evolution of aviation during the Ecuador-Peru border conflicts of 1941, 1981, and 1995, tracing its transition from auxiliary support to a decisive strategic force. The research contextualizes these confrontations within the compl ex historical framework of post-Gran Colombia territorial disputes. The study highlights the 1941 conflict for the first paratrooper operation in the Western Hemisphere—the capture of Puerto Bolívar—which fundamentally altered regional military doctrine and led to the founding of the independent Ecuadorian Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana) in 1944.The author further examines the 1981 Paquisha War, focusing on the extensive reliance on Mi-8 rotary-wing aviation for jungle logistics and the first, albeit inconclusive, engagements between A-37 Dragonfly and Mirage F1 jets. A significant portion of the work reconstructs the 1995 Cenepa War as the most significant supersonic air-to-air confrontation in South American history. The technical evaluation provides a detailed account of the aerial victory on February 10, 1995, where Ecuadorian Mirage F1JA and Kfir C.2 fighters successfully utilized Magic R.550 missiles to neutralize Peruvian Su-22 bombers. This engagement is noted for the sophisticated use of radar warning systems and high-speed low-altitude exit tactics ("jungle level") to evade counter-interception. Ultimately, the research concludes that air superiority and technological modernization were the primary catalysts for the final 1998 diplomatic resolution and the 1999 border demarcation. The article underscores the indispensable role of modern air power and specialized pilot training in navigating the unique challenges of the Andean and Amazonian theaters, serving as a pillar of regional security and national identity.