Benin Air Force

When the Republic of Dahomey became a self-governing colony in the French Community on 11 August 1958, the colonial power provided the new country with a small nascent air arm named the Dahomey Air Force (Force Aérienne de Dahomey or FAD).[1] The first aircraft arrived in 1961 after the country had gained full independence. The original donations, a Douglas C-47 transport and an Sud Aviation Alouette II helicopter along with a number of Max Holste Broussard utility aircraft, a similar package that France provided to many of its ex-colonies when they gained their freedom, were soon complemented by an Aero Commander 500B VIP transport.[2] The C-47 fleet was expanded to three aircraft and, in 1973, a French-manufactured Rheims Cessna Skymaster was added to the force.[3] To supplement the Aero Commander, an Aérospatiale Corvette was acquired, further reinforcing the tie between the country and French aircraft industry.[4]

Roundel of the Forces Aériennes Populaire du Benin

The Benin Air Force Fokker F28 in 1983

On 30 November 1975, the nation of Dahomey was renamed the People's Republic of Benin and the air force became the Benin People's Air Force (Forces Aériennes Populaire du Benin or FAPB).[5] A new roundel was introduced that included a red star to designate the new political allegiance of the country. Internally, however, little changed. The air force initially saw no new purchases except a single Fokker F27-600 added in 1978.[4] Soon after, two Antonov An-26 transports were introduced, heralding a change in allegiance to the Eastern bloc.[5]

During the next few years, the air force continued to expand but so did costs. To curb these, and to also support economic development in the country, in 1984, the Air Force started to jointly operate its larger transport aircraft with the national airline, Transports Aeriens de Benin. At the same time, the air force returned to procuring aircraft from West Europe. By 1987, the fleet included two An-26, three C-47s and two Dornier Do 128-2 transports, an Aero Commander 500B and Fokker F28 Fellowship for VIP transport, and a single Alouette II and two Aérospatiale AS350 Écureuil helicopters.[6]

When the country's name was changed again on 1 March 1990 to the République du Bénin, the name of the air force was also renamed to the current name.[1] The original roundel was restored, although the red star was still visible on aircraft in 1994.[7] Some things stayed the same. The air force continued to operate under financial constraints, which increasingly impacted serviceability. To help solve this, the country was provided aid from Belgium.[8] The C-47 transports were retired, along with the remaining older aircraft. The Belgian Air Force provided a three-year service programme and also three Hawker Siddeley HS 748 transports. One of these was used for spare parts in an effort to provide continuity for the fleet, another recurring problem.[8] Helicopters were also later provided by the Belgian Army under the same condition.[9] A de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter utility aircraft joined the two An-26 transports in joint operation with the national airline and collaboration with civil aircraft operations became an increasingly important part of the way that the service operated.[10]

In 2010, the air force added a pair of LH Aviation LH-10 Grand Duc light aircraft in an attempt to reduce costs as well as add capability.[11] However, despite these measures, the operational fleet continued to shrink. By 2018, the air force consisted of two active aircraft.[12]

A Benin Hs.748 in Belgian colours prior to delivery

Retired Inventory: Dornier Do-28 Skyservant, Bell 47G, Fokker F.28, Fokker F27-600, Boeing 707, Rockwell 500 Commander, Antonov An-26, Antonov An-2, Max Holste Broussard, Douglas C-47, Cessna Skymaster, Aérospatiale Corvette, Sud Aviation Alouette II.

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