Central African Republic Air Force

The Central African Republic Air Force (French: Force Aérienne Centrafricaine) is the aerial warfare branch of the Central African Republic Armed Forces. As of 2017 it has been a branch of the Ground Force.[2]

Central African Air Force
Force Aérienne Centrafricaine
Central African Republic Air Force Roundel
Founded1961 (1961)
Country Central African Republic
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Part ofCentral African Armed Forces
Equipment3 aircraft[1]
Insignia
Fin flash

The Air Force is reported to be almost inactive due to the unserviceability of its aircraft. Dassault Mirage F1s of the French Air Force regularly patrol troubled regions of the country and also participate in direct confrontations.[3] According to some sources, former President François Bozizé used the money he got from the mining concession in Bakouma to buy two old Mil Mi-8 helicopters from Ukraine and one Lockheed C-130 Hercules, built in the 1950s, from the U.S.[4] The air force otherwise operates several light aircraft, including a single helicopter.

Aircraft

Current inventory
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Trainer Aircraft
Aero L-39 Czech Republic primary trainer 6[5] Donated by Russia
Transport
Britten-Norman BN-2 United Kingdom transport 2[6]
Helicopters
Eurocopter AS350 France utility / liaison AS350B 1[6]

References

Notes
  1. "2021 Central African Republic Military Strength". globalfirepower. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
  2. Central African Republic - CIA World Factbook
  3. – Inter-agency Mission to Birao (CAR): 16 to 23 January 2007
  4. – Centrafrique : Bozizé ou la chronique d’une chute annoncée, 2004 Archived October 8, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  5. "Russia increasing material potential of Central African national army by supplying fighter jets – Manuel Nguema". Daily Post. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  6. "World Air Forces 2023". Flightglobal Insight. 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2022.

Bibliography
  • Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International, Vol. 180 No. 5321, 13–19 December 2011. pp. 26–52.
  • World Aircraft Information Files. Brightstar Publishing, London. File 338 Sheet 02
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