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
Equipment6 aircraft[1]
Insignia
Fin flash
Aircraft flown
TrainerAero L-39

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]

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[1]

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 Hoyle, Craig (December 2023). World Air Forces 2024. FlightGlobal (Report). London: Flight Global Insight. p. 15. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  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

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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