Ethiopian Air Force
Encyclopedia
The Ethiopian Air Force is the air arm of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces
and is tasked with protecting the air space, providing support to the ground forces as well as assisting during national emergencies.
Royal Air Force
in November 1922 in Aden
. Having never seen an airplane before, he was captivated by this demonstration of their power and abilities, and spontaneously asked if he could go up in one of the biplane
s, proclaiming that it was "very fitting that he, as regent of Abyssinia should be the first Abyssinian to take flight in an aeroplane." As a result of this experience, he afterwards advocated the development of the Imperial Ethiopian Air Force. This small air arm began with the delivery of a Potez 25
-A2 to the capital Addis Ababa
on 18 August 1929. The Ethiopian Air Force was organized by Mishka Babitchef, the first Ethiopian pilot, who was of Russian descent. A Junkers W 33
c followed on 5 September.
On 31 March 1930, three of the biplanes from Ethiopia's air arm played a dramatic role in a battle between Haile Selassie (not yet crowned Emperor) and conservative forces seeking his ouster. During the Battle of Anchem
, biplanes were effectively used to give Haile Selassie's forces the upper hand.
A few transport aircraft were also acquired during 1934-35 for ambulance work. The air force was commanded by a French pilot, Andre Maillet, who delivered the first Potez. He was succeeded by another Frenchman, Paul Corriger, who remained until the Italian conquest of Ethiopia
, when the small air arm ceased to exist.
Imperial Ethiopian Air Force ( 1919-1929):
And one more aircraft builded in Addis Abeba similar to the LOHNER PFEILFLIEGER B-1 and one Airship acquired in 1912.
DATES: NATO INTELLIGENCE DIVISION AND CNI (CENTRO NACIONAL DE INTELIGENCIA ESPAÑOL).
During the Second Italo-Abyssinian War
the Imperial Ethiopian Air Force consisted of:
DATES: NATO INTELLIGENCE DIVISION AND CNI (CENTRO NACIONAL DE INTELIGENCIA ESPAÑOL).
Notable pilots of the Imperial Ethiopian Air Force (1929–1936)
. In 1944, a group of WWII African-American veterans set up a flying school at Lideta airport in Addis Ababa
. The nation acquired a few aircraft through military aid from the US and UK; and the school had some 75 students by 1946. As neither the UK or US were interested in providing assistance, Ethiopia turned to Sweden
to help create a modern air arm (see Ethiopia–Sweden relations). The Swedes agreed to provide assistance and Carl Gustaf von Rosen
was appointed as the head of the newly formed Imperial Ethiopian Air Force (IEAF).
The Swedish contingent played a critical role in setting up a solid foundation. They sent Safir trainers
and B-17A
light bombers from Sweden, and the government acquired C-47
transport aircraft from the US to equip the flight training, bomber and transport squadrons, respectively. In 1951, IEAF formed its first fighter attack squadron by acquiring Firefly
fighters from the UK.
and Ethiopia for a military assistance program (see Ethiopia–United States relations
). Its aim was to provide Ethiopia with capable military force for defensive purposes. The US military sent a team to undertake a comprehensive study of the Ethiopian military capabilities, requirements and the probable threats facing Ethiopia.
The IEAF benefited immensely from the program. The US Air Force sent a team of officers and NCOs led by a Colonel to assess the force and provide recommendations as part of the Military Advisory and Assistance Group undertaking the comprehensive study of the Ethiopian military. The IEAF was to be restructured organizationally and adopt US style operating procedures. Emphasis was given on building up IEAF's training institutions. Several Ethiopian personnel were sent to the US for training, including 25 Ethiopian pilots for jet training, and many more were trained locally by US Defense personnel. In 1957, the first three of several T-33A
jet trainers were supplied followed by F-86F
fighters in 1960. In 1961, T-28
s were acquired for advanced training. This influx of equipment and training made the IEAF, in the opinion of historian Bahru Zewde, "the most prestigious show-piece of American aid in Ethiopia. It was also reputedly the most modern and efficient unit of the armed forces."
In 1964, the Somalis began receiving large quantities of weaponry ground equipment and MiG-17 fighters from the Soviet Union
(see Ethiopia–Russia relations
). In response, the US started delivering the supersonic F-5A jet fighters in 1965 to counter this new threat. However, it was careful not to escalate the situation further. The US delivered the F-5As without providing a major weapon systems for the aircraft, the ability to use air-to-air missiles. Nevertheless, the delivery of F-5As had serious implications in the Horn of Africa
because no neighboring country had anything similar to this new jet fighter. The Somalis were furious and described the F-5A transfer as a grave threat to the security of the Somali people and the rest of the Horn
. In 1976, the US agreed to supply more advanced F-5Es along with AIM-9B sidewinder missiles after the Soviets delivered MiG-21 fighters to Somalia. The F-5E aircraft destined for Ethiopia were never delivered and were stored at Williams AFB, Arizona during the Ogaden Conflict (Ethiopia - Somali War, 1977 through 1978).
acquired power United States President Jimmy Carter
cut off all military aid to Ethiopia. Desperate, the Derg regime turned to the Soviets for help. The Soviet Union, which was providing assistance to Somalia, switched sides and agreed to provide substantial economic and military aid that proved to be decisive. As a result, ETAF received large number of aircraft for fighter, helicopter, transport roles. The Cubans provided 17,000 troops to support the Ethiopian forces. Included were Cuban pilots who flew the newly Soviet supplied MiG-21s.
The following aircraft types were delivered by the Soviets:
In the 1980s, non-Soviet aircraft were also acquired. Several L-39C jets were acquired from Czechoslovakia for jet transition training. In addition, SF-260TP trainers were acquired from Italy
in two batches to replace the aging Safirs, and two L-100 Hercules transport aircraft, the civilian version of the military C-130 Hercules
transport, were acquired through Ethiopian Airlines
(see Czechoslovakia-Ethiopia relations, Ethiopia-Italy relations).
The Soviet influence had major impact on ETAF. The Soviets offered to train all pilots at a joint training center for all their satellite states leaving ETAF responsible only for operational training. They also offered to train engineers at their own schools. Expecting to realize enormous cost savings, ETAF accepted the offer. As a result, both the flying school and Air Academy were closed in 1980 and all recruits were sent to the Soviet Union after passing aptitude test examination and medical screening.
Dissatisfied with the Soviet provided training, ETAF re-activated both its flight training school and Air Academy in 1984. SF260TP propeller aircraft for primary screening and L-39 jets for jet-transition training were acquired from Italy and Czechoslovakia respectively. The Air Academy was reopened using civilian instructors with degree programs in aeronautical engineering, aeronautical administration, and electrical engineering.
The period witnessed the declining of ETAF's maintenance and engineering centers. Unlike the Americans, the Soviets were unwilling to transfer technical know how. They insisted that every major repair work be undertaken by them in the Soviet Union. In addition to the logistical nightmare, the cost was prohibitive for the air force already financially stretched supporting the ground forces in the raging civil war. The Soviets relented and agreed to set up a depot level maintenance, repair and overhaul center after the Derg regime took up the matter with the Soviet leadership. However, lack of finance hindered the progress and only minimal work was done by 1991. The project was restarted in 1995 and formally inaugurated in 2004.
The Derg years saw ETAF embroiled in the civil war
. The ETAF played a critical role in the Derg's war effort in the north. It was the main stumbling block the rebels faced from achieving total victory. However, in the late 1980s, many in Air Force began questioning the prosecution of the war. Following the failed coup of 1989, in which the ETAF's top leaders participated, its high command was decimated with arrests and executions. As a result, ETAF was suffering from low morale and serious internal rifts. Pilots were defecting in increasing numbers to neighboring countries. The situation on the ground
was also becoming hopeless. Eventually, the forces of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front
(EPRDF) overran the Derg’s army and took control of the country in 1991.
The EPRDF government was cognizant of the critical role of air power, having experienced it first hand during its long war with Derg. It set up a new high command which included senior EPRDF military commanders and former members of ETAF who have previously joined EPRDF. Its primary task was to restore ETAF to operational status.
In August 1992, the flying school was reopened and training of cadets was resumed. As a result, many of the instructor pilots under the Derg regime were allowed to return back. In addition, senior EPRDF commanders assigned to the high command were sent abroad for staff training. The first batch of pilot trainees graduated in June 1995 which continued yearly afterwards. However, the early period was fraught with much friction and mistrust between the retained personnel from the former Derg regime and the EPRDF military commanders assigned to ETAF.
In 1995, the EPRDF government unveiled a plan for a new Ethiopian National Defense Force. The plan called for a smaller air force with streamlined organizational structure and fewer bases. As a medium term solution, ETAF's air and ground assets were to be upgraded with modern systems and completion of the maintenance and overhaul centers started under the Derg. However, lack of finance delayed the implementation of most projects. The political leadership felt there was no threat to speak of facing the country to justify large expenditures, particularly pertaining to the extensive (and expensive) upgrade project for the MIG-21/23 fighter fleet.
The unexpected outbreak of war with Eritrea
in June 1998 led to a significant change in ETAF. The entire Ethiopian National Defense Force was ill prepared for the conflict. Most of Ethiopia’s ground forces were located in south and southeast. The EPRDF government considered the northern borders to be the most secure due to its then close relationship with Eritrea and had decided to leave the border security in the hands of the local militia and police forces. The case with ETAF was no different which never had replaced its northern command base it lost when Eritrea seceded.
In the two years that followed from 1998–2000 and despite the many constraints, ETAF’s was able to provide crucial support to the ground forces. Su-27 air superiority fighters were acquired along with advanced versions of the Mi-35 helicopter gunships. The Su-27s were used to shoot down two Eritrean Air Force
MIG-29s
; the first on Feb. 25, 1999 and the second on Feb. 26, 1999. In return Eritrean MiG-29s shot down a total of five MiG-21 and MiG-23 fighters during the war. Lessons learned from the war were incorporated throughout which increased the effectiveness of the ETAF in second year of the war. Su-25T
jets with precision strike capability were acquired along with sophisticated electronic warfare systems. Its members undertook dangerous missions deep inside Eritrean territory from interdicting supply lines, reconnaissance and destruction of air defense.
After the war, ETAF was reorganized to better prepare it for future conflicts based on lessons learned during the 1998-2000 war. Changes were made to better reflect in its doctrine the effects of the newer equipments acquired ability to deploy precision guided munitions. The long running maintenance and overhaul center project, DAVEC
, was also sped up and inaugurated in 2004.
, Ethiopia and Kenya. However, majority of the land claimed was in Ethiopia which made it Somalia's main target. After failing to get support within the Organization of African Unity, Somalia declared war on Ethiopia in 1964. The Somali forces launched their attack at Togochale, a border town east of Jijiga
, but were no match to the comparatively well-equipped air forces of Ethiopia. Using Dire Dawa
as its main operating base, IEAF F-86s inflicted heavy damage on the invading Somali forces. The aerial support was not limited to combat support. IEAF C-47s, along Ethiopian Airlines DC-3, played a critical role in ferrying troops and supplies to the war front.
The brief conflict provided the IEAF with valuable experience. Lessons learned included the need for heavy bombers, an air defense complex, secure and reliable communication system, and better coordination with ground forces. As a result, Canberra
bombers and air defense radars were acquired from Great Britain and the US respectively.
In 1974, a popular unrest against Emperor Haile Selassie led to a military coup. The military then formed a committee from within, known as the Derg, dominated by junior officers and NCOs. Shortly after, it executed 60 top civilian and military officials and imprisoned many others. In addition, the Derg forced out many career military officers it was suspicious of. The army was in shambles and the country was engulfed in a political turmoil. It was during this moment the Somalis launched a massive invasion
in 1977.
Already alarmed at the increasing noise the Somalis were making, the Derg government had managed to convince the Ford
administration to provide Ethiopia with F-5Es. The first batch of seven pilots were sent to Williams Air Force Base
in Arizona for conversion and tactical fighter training. However, further training of pilots and delivery of aircraft was stopped after President Carter
cut off all arms supplies in protest of the Derg's human rights violations.
Using the eight F-5Es as interceptors, F-5As for close air support and Canberra for heavy bombing, the ETAF swiftly overwhelmed the Somali Air Force. Within the first two weeks of the war, ETAF managed to shoot down 25 Somali MIGs with no air-to-air loses. Throughout the war, it also conducted strikes against several targets deep inside Somalia, including the repeated bombings of the Somali Air Force's northern main operating base at Hargeisa
and long range attack on the Berbera
air base.
The ETAF lost three F-5Es to ground fire and one C-47 transport plane to a MIG-17 while one Canberra was flown by a defecting pilot to Somalia. Another Canberra was lost due a mechanical problem deep inside Ethiopia after it suffered hits from ground attack. Two F-5E pilots as well as the C-47 crew were captured by the Somalis while one F-5E pilot was rescued by helicopter. One of the F-5E pilots captured was Legesse Teferra, the most credited with six Somali MIG kills. His F-5E was shot down while overflying an area thought to be in control by Ethiopian forces. He was captured by the local Somali population and was turned over to then Somali army commander of the region, Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf. Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf later became President of Somalia. The other captured F-5E pilot, Afework Kidanu, died while in captivity in Somalia.
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! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
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|-----
| Aermacchi SF-260 || || trainer || SF.260TP || 4 ||
|-----
| Aero L-39 Albatros || || trainer || L-39 || 17 ||
|-----
| Aérospatiale SA 316 Alouette III
|| || utility helicopter || SA 316A || 8 ||
|-----
| Antonov An-12
|| || tactical transport || An-12 || 9 ||
|-----
| Antonov An-24
|| || tactical transport || An-24 || 1 ||
|-----
| Antonov An-26
|| || tactical transport || An-26 || 1 ||
|-----
| AutoGyro MT-03 || || special missions gyrocopter || MTO Sport || 2 ||
|-----
| Agusta-Bell AB.204 || || utility helicopter || AB204 || 5 || built by Agusta
|-----
| de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo
|| || tactical transport || DHC-5 || 1 ||
|-----
| Lockheed C-130 Hercules || || tactical transport || C-130B
L-100-30 || 2
1 ||
|-----
| Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
|| || fighter || MiG-21
MiG-21U || 18
3 ||
|-----
| Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23
|| || fighter || MiG-23
MiG-23UM || 8
4 ||
|-----
| Mil Mi-6
|| || transport helicopter || Mi-6 || 10 ||
|-----
| Mil Mi-8
|| / || transport helicopter || Mi-8 || 12 ||
|-----
| Mil Mi-14
|| || antisubmarine helicopter || Mi-14PL || 2 ||
|-----
| Mil Mi-24
|| || attack helicopter || Mi-24
Mi-35 || 15
3 ||
|-----
| Sukhoi Su-25
|| || attack || Su-25 || 24 ||
|-----
| Sukhoi Su-27
|| / || multirole fighter || Su-27SK
Su-27P
Su-27UB || 46
3
4 ||
|-----
| Yakovlev Yak-40
|| || VIP || Yak-40 || 1 ||
In addition to the Air Force inventory, the Army operates 2 DHC-6
transports and 5 Bell 205 helicopters.
Aircraft which have been recently operated by the Air Force include:
Military of Ethiopia
The Ethiopian National Defense Force is the military of Ethiopia. Civil direction of the military is carried out through the Ministry of Defense, which oversees the ground forces, air force, as well as the Defense Industry Sector. The current defense minister is Siraj Fergessa. . Size of the ENDF...
and is tasked with protecting the air space, providing support to the ground forces as well as assisting during national emergencies.
Early years (1929-1935)
The origins of the Ethiopian Air Force has been traced to (then Ras) Haile Selassie witnessing a show of the BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
in November 1922 in Aden
Aden
Aden is a seaport city in Yemen, located by the eastern approach to the Red Sea , some 170 kilometres east of Bab-el-Mandeb. Its population is approximately 800,000. Aden's ancient, natural harbour lies in the crater of an extinct volcano which now forms a peninsula, joined to the mainland by a...
. Having never seen an airplane before, he was captivated by this demonstration of their power and abilities, and spontaneously asked if he could go up in one of the biplane
Biplane
A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two superimposed main wings. The Wright brothers' Wright Flyer used a biplane design, as did most aircraft in the early years of aviation. While a biplane wing structure has a structural advantage, it produces more drag than a similar monoplane wing...
s, proclaiming that it was "very fitting that he, as regent of Abyssinia should be the first Abyssinian to take flight in an aeroplane." As a result of this experience, he afterwards advocated the development of the Imperial Ethiopian Air Force. This small air arm began with the delivery of a Potez 25
Potez 25
|-See also:*Aerial operations in the Chaco War-References:Heinonen, Timo Heinonen: Thulinista Hornetiin, Keski-Suomen ilmailumuseon julkaisuja 3, 1992. ISBN 951-95688-2-4.-External links:* *...
-A2 to the capital Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
on 18 August 1929. The Ethiopian Air Force was organized by Mishka Babitchef, the first Ethiopian pilot, who was of Russian descent. A Junkers W 33
Junkers W 33
The Junkers W 33 was a German-built singled-engine transport aircraft. It was aerodynamically and structurally advanced for its time , a clean, low-wing all metal cantilever monoplane. Almost 200 were produced...
c followed on 5 September.
On 31 March 1930, three of the biplanes from Ethiopia's air arm played a dramatic role in a battle between Haile Selassie (not yet crowned Emperor) and conservative forces seeking his ouster. During the Battle of Anchem
Battle of Anchem
The Battle of Anchem was a battle fought between two factions of the Royal family in the Ethiopian Empire...
, biplanes were effectively used to give Haile Selassie's forces the upper hand.
A few transport aircraft were also acquired during 1934-35 for ambulance work. The air force was commanded by a French pilot, Andre Maillet, who delivered the first Potez. He was succeeded by another Frenchman, Paul Corriger, who remained until the Italian conquest of Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
, when the small air arm ceased to exist.
Imperial Ethiopian Air Force ( 1919-1929):
- 1 x caudron g.3.
- 1 x Avro 504.
- 1 x Nieuport IV.
- 3 x Nieuport 82.
- 1 x De Havilland DH. 50.
- 2 x breguet 14.
- 1 x Junkers f.13.
- 2 x Spad. s.33. (acquired from czech Avia company).
- 1 x Spad s.XIII.
- 2 x Spad s.XX.
And one more aircraft builded in Addis Abeba similar to the LOHNER PFEILFLIEGER B-1 and one Airship acquired in 1912.
DATES: NATO INTELLIGENCE DIVISION AND CNI (CENTRO NACIONAL DE INTELIGENCIA ESPAÑOL).
During the Second Italo-Abyssinian War
Second Italo-Abyssinian War
The Second Italo–Abyssinian War was a colonial war that started in October 1935 and ended in May 1936. The war was fought between the armed forces of the Kingdom of Italy and the armed forces of the Ethiopian Empire...
the Imperial Ethiopian Air Force consisted of:
- 1 x Percival gull six (armed with two machine gun 7,7 mm, knock down one romeo ro.1).
- 2 x Vickers Valentia (transport/bombers).
- 1 x Dornier Do. 11 (bomber).
- 2 × Beechcraft StaggerwingBeechcraft StaggerwingThe Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing is an American biplane with an atypical negative stagger , that first flew in 1932.-Development:...
- 1 × Breda Ba.15Breda Ba.15|-See also:-References:* * "La Contribución Italiana en la Aviación Paraguaya". Antonio Luis Sapienza Fracchia. Author's edition. Asunción, 2007. 300pp....
- 1 × de Havilland DH.60 MothDe Havilland DH.60 MothThe de Havilland DH 60 Moth was a 1920s British two-seat touring and training aircraft that was developed into a series of aircraft by the de Havilland Aircraft Company.-Development:The DH 60 was developed from the larger DH 51 biplane...
- 1 × de Havilland DragonDe Havilland Dragon|-See also:-References:Bibliography ISBN 0-85177-813-5...
(Red Cross) - 1 × Farman 192 c/n?
- 1 × Farman 190 converted to F192, c/n?
- 1 × Fiat AS-1, lost in accident 1930
- 2 × Fokker F.VIIFokker F.VIIThe Fokker F.VII, also known as the Fokker Trimotor, was an airliner produced in the 1920s by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker, Fokker's American subsidiary Atlantic Aircraft Corporation, and other companies under licence....
a (Named "Abba Dagnew" and "Abba Kagnew". The latter was used as ambulance) - 1 × Fokker F.VIIb/3m (used as Hailé Sélassié's personal transport, and for missions by the Red Cross)
- 1 × Heinkel HD.21 (Red Cross)
- 2 × Junkers W33c (acquired in 1929 and 1932).
- 6 × Potez 25Potez 25|-See also:*Aerial operations in the Chaco War-References:Heinonen, Timo Heinonen: Thulinista Hornetiin, Keski-Suomen ilmailumuseon julkaisuja 3, 1992. ISBN 951-95688-2-4.-External links:* *...
- 3 × Weber Meindl van Nes A.VII Ethiopia 1(one acquired in Austria and the next two construct in akaki).
- 1 breda ba. 25.
- 1 breda ba. 28.
- 1 pzl. p 24.
- 1 renard epervier.
- 6 Avia BH-21.
- 2 breguet XIX.
- 1 weir w-2 autogyre.
DATES: NATO INTELLIGENCE DIVISION AND CNI (CENTRO NACIONAL DE INTELIGENCIA ESPAÑOL).
Notable pilots of the Imperial Ethiopian Air Force (1929–1936)
- André Maillet
- Gaston Vedel
- Baron von Engel
- Comte Schatzberg
- Hubert JulianHubert JulianHubert Fauntleroy Julian was a Trinidad-born African American aviation pioneer. He was nicknamed "The Black Eagle".-Biography:...
- Mishka Babitcheff (Ethiopian)
- Bahru Kaba (Ethiopian)
- Asfaw Ali (Ethiopian)
- Tesfaye (Ethiopian)
- John C. Robinson
- Thierry Maignal
- Ludwig Weber (Agent of JunkersJunkersJunkers Flugzeug- und Motorenwerke AG , more commonly Junkers, was a major German aircraft manufacturer. It produced some of the world's most innovative and best-known airplanes over the course of its fifty-plus year history in Dessau, Germany. It was founded there in 1895 by Hugo Junkers,...
in Addis Ababa and personal pilot of Hailé Sélassié, he supervised the construction of the Weber Meindl van Nes A.VII Ethiopia 1 which was a highly modified version of the de Havilland DH.60 Moth - Count Carl Gustaf von RosenCarl Gustaf von RosenCount Carl Gustaf Ericsson von Rosen was a Swedish pioneer aviator. He flew relief missions in a number of conflicts as well as combat missions for Finland and Biafran rebels...
(with the Red Cross, he flew the Heinkel HD.21)
Post World War II
After the liberation of Ethiopia, the country started reorganizing the embryonic air force that had existed prior to the Italian invasionSecond Italo-Abyssinian War
The Second Italo–Abyssinian War was a colonial war that started in October 1935 and ended in May 1936. The war was fought between the armed forces of the Kingdom of Italy and the armed forces of the Ethiopian Empire...
. In 1944, a group of WWII African-American veterans set up a flying school at Lideta airport in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
. The nation acquired a few aircraft through military aid from the US and UK; and the school had some 75 students by 1946. As neither the UK or US were interested in providing assistance, Ethiopia turned to Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
to help create a modern air arm (see Ethiopia–Sweden relations). The Swedes agreed to provide assistance and Carl Gustaf von Rosen
Carl Gustaf von Rosen
Count Carl Gustaf Ericsson von Rosen was a Swedish pioneer aviator. He flew relief missions in a number of conflicts as well as combat missions for Finland and Biafran rebels...
was appointed as the head of the newly formed Imperial Ethiopian Air Force (IEAF).
The Swedish contingent played a critical role in setting up a solid foundation. They sent Safir trainers
Saab 91 Safir
|-See also:-References:*Smith, Maurice A. . Flight, 23 October 1947, pp. 459–462.-External links:* * * *...
and B-17A
Saab 17
-References:* Jane, Fred T. “The Saab-17.” Jane’s Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London: Studio, 1946. ISBN 1-85170-493-0....
light bombers from Sweden, and the government acquired C-47
C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
transport aircraft from the US to equip the flight training, bomber and transport squadrons, respectively. In 1951, IEAF formed its first fighter attack squadron by acquiring Firefly
Fairey Firefly
The Fairey Firefly was a British Second World War-era carrier-borne fighter aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm ....
fighters from the UK.
The US assistance and Transition to the Jet age
In 1953, a military agreement was entered between the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Ethiopia for a military assistance program (see Ethiopia–United States relations
Ethiopia–United States relations
Ethiopia-United States relations are bilateral relations between Ethiopia and the United States. Ethiopia is a strategic partner of the United States in the Global War on Terrorism. The United States is the largest donor to Ethiopia: in 2008 U.S. foreign aid to Ethiopia totaled US$ 969 million, in...
). Its aim was to provide Ethiopia with capable military force for defensive purposes. The US military sent a team to undertake a comprehensive study of the Ethiopian military capabilities, requirements and the probable threats facing Ethiopia.
The IEAF benefited immensely from the program. The US Air Force sent a team of officers and NCOs led by a Colonel to assess the force and provide recommendations as part of the Military Advisory and Assistance Group undertaking the comprehensive study of the Ethiopian military. The IEAF was to be restructured organizationally and adopt US style operating procedures. Emphasis was given on building up IEAF's training institutions. Several Ethiopian personnel were sent to the US for training, including 25 Ethiopian pilots for jet training, and many more were trained locally by US Defense personnel. In 1957, the first three of several T-33A
T-33 Shooting Star
The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star is an American-built jet trainer aircraft. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948, piloted by Tony LeVier. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then designated T-33A. It was used by the...
jet trainers were supplied followed by F-86F
F-86 Sabre
The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
fighters in 1960. In 1961, T-28
T-28 Trojan
The North American Aviation T-28 Trojan is a piston-engined military trainer aircraft used by the United States Air Force and United States Navy beginning in the 1950s...
s were acquired for advanced training. This influx of equipment and training made the IEAF, in the opinion of historian Bahru Zewde, "the most prestigious show-piece of American aid in Ethiopia. It was also reputedly the most modern and efficient unit of the armed forces."
In 1964, the Somalis began receiving large quantities of weaponry ground equipment and MiG-17 fighters from the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
(see Ethiopia–Russia relations
Ethiopia–Russia relations
Ethiopia–Russia relations is the relationship between the two countries, Ethiopia and Russia. Russia currently has an embassy in Addis Ababa, and Ethiopia has an embassy in Moscow...
). In response, the US started delivering the supersonic F-5A jet fighters in 1965 to counter this new threat. However, it was careful not to escalate the situation further. The US delivered the F-5As without providing a major weapon systems for the aircraft, the ability to use air-to-air missiles. Nevertheless, the delivery of F-5As had serious implications in the Horn of Africa
Horn of Africa
The Horn of Africa is a peninsula in East Africa that juts hundreds of kilometers into the Arabian Sea and lies along the southern side of the Gulf of Aden. It is the easternmost projection of the African continent...
because no neighboring country had anything similar to this new jet fighter. The Somalis were furious and described the F-5A transfer as a grave threat to the security of the Somali people and the rest of the Horn
Horn of Africa
The Horn of Africa is a peninsula in East Africa that juts hundreds of kilometers into the Arabian Sea and lies along the southern side of the Gulf of Aden. It is the easternmost projection of the African continent...
. In 1976, the US agreed to supply more advanced F-5Es along with AIM-9B sidewinder missiles after the Soviets delivered MiG-21 fighters to Somalia. The F-5E aircraft destined for Ethiopia were never delivered and were stored at Williams AFB, Arizona during the Ogaden Conflict (Ethiopia - Somali War, 1977 through 1978).
Shift to the Eastern block
While the ETAF role was critical in stopping the advance of the Somali forces, the ground forces were not ready for offensive operations to expel the Somalis from the area they controlled. The army was short in equipment of all sorts, and after the DergDerg
The Derg or Dergue was a Communist military junta that came to power in Ethiopia following the ousting of Haile Selassie I. Derg, which means "committee" or "council" in Ge'ez, is the short name of the Coordinating Committee of the Armed Forces, Police, and Territorial Army, a committee of...
acquired power United States President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
cut off all military aid to Ethiopia. Desperate, the Derg regime turned to the Soviets for help. The Soviet Union, which was providing assistance to Somalia, switched sides and agreed to provide substantial economic and military aid that proved to be decisive. As a result, ETAF received large number of aircraft for fighter, helicopter, transport roles. The Cubans provided 17,000 troops to support the Ethiopian forces. Included were Cuban pilots who flew the newly Soviet supplied MiG-21s.
The following aircraft types were delivered by the Soviets:
| Fighter | Helicopter | Transport | Maritime patrol | VIP transport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MiG-17 MiG-21bis MiG-21U MiG-23BN MiG-23UB MiG-23ML |
Mi-8 Mil Mi-8 The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter.... Mi-14 Mil Mi-14 |-See also:-External links:******... Mi-17 MI-17 MI-17 can refer to:* Mil Mi-17, Soviet helicopter*M-17... Mi-24 Mi-35 |
An-12 An-32 |
Il-38 |
Yak-40 Tu-154 |
In the 1980s, non-Soviet aircraft were also acquired. Several L-39C jets were acquired from Czechoslovakia for jet transition training. In addition, SF-260TP trainers were acquired from Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
in two batches to replace the aging Safirs, and two L-100 Hercules transport aircraft, the civilian version of the military C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
transport, were acquired through Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines , formerly Ethiopian Air Lines, often referred to as simply Ethiopian, is an airline headquartered on the grounds of Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It serves as the country's flag carrier, and is wholly owned by the Government of Ethiopia...
(see Czechoslovakia-Ethiopia relations, Ethiopia-Italy relations).
The Derg years
While its performance during the war with Somalia saved ETAF from the purges inflicted on the army and nearly every other institution in the country, the Derg was determined to keep a close eye on it. To increase its control, the Derg created a three man committee constituting the force commander, political commissar and representative from the security service to oversee the air force. In addition, adhering to the Soviet advice, the ETAF's organization was replaced by a Soviet-style regimental structure.The Soviet influence had major impact on ETAF. The Soviets offered to train all pilots at a joint training center for all their satellite states leaving ETAF responsible only for operational training. They also offered to train engineers at their own schools. Expecting to realize enormous cost savings, ETAF accepted the offer. As a result, both the flying school and Air Academy were closed in 1980 and all recruits were sent to the Soviet Union after passing aptitude test examination and medical screening.
Dissatisfied with the Soviet provided training, ETAF re-activated both its flight training school and Air Academy in 1984. SF260TP propeller aircraft for primary screening and L-39 jets for jet-transition training were acquired from Italy and Czechoslovakia respectively. The Air Academy was reopened using civilian instructors with degree programs in aeronautical engineering, aeronautical administration, and electrical engineering.
The period witnessed the declining of ETAF's maintenance and engineering centers. Unlike the Americans, the Soviets were unwilling to transfer technical know how. They insisted that every major repair work be undertaken by them in the Soviet Union. In addition to the logistical nightmare, the cost was prohibitive for the air force already financially stretched supporting the ground forces in the raging civil war. The Soviets relented and agreed to set up a depot level maintenance, repair and overhaul center after the Derg regime took up the matter with the Soviet leadership. However, lack of finance hindered the progress and only minimal work was done by 1991. The project was restarted in 1995 and formally inaugurated in 2004.
The Derg years saw ETAF embroiled in the civil war
Ethiopian Civil War
The Ethiopian Civil War began on September 12, 1974 when the Marxist Derg staged a coup d'état against Emperor Haile Selassie, and lasted until the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front , a coalition of rebel groups, overthrew the government in 1991. The war overlapped other Cold War...
. The ETAF played a critical role in the Derg's war effort in the north. It was the main stumbling block the rebels faced from achieving total victory. However, in the late 1980s, many in Air Force began questioning the prosecution of the war. Following the failed coup of 1989, in which the ETAF's top leaders participated, its high command was decimated with arrests and executions. As a result, ETAF was suffering from low morale and serious internal rifts. Pilots were defecting in increasing numbers to neighboring countries. The situation on the ground
Facts on the ground
Facts on the ground is a diplomatic term that means the situation in reality as opposed to in the abstract. It originated in discussions of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, where it was used to refer to Israeli settlements built in the occupied West Bank, which were intended to establish permanent...
was also becoming hopeless. Eventually, the forces of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front
Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front
The Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front is the ruling political coalition in Ethiopia. It is an alliance of four other groups: the Oromo Peoples' Democratic Organization , the Amhara National Democratic Movement , the South Ethiopian Peoples' Democratic Front The Ethiopian People's...
(EPRDF) overran the Derg’s army and took control of the country in 1991.
Post 1991 status
The change of events that followed had tremendous impact on ETAF. In 1991, the Soviet backed Derg regime was deposed by EPRDF rebel forces. EPRDF ordered all members of the military, including those of ETAF, to report to detention camps set up throughout the country. EPRDF started reorganizing the air force soon after taking power. Shortly after taking complete control of the country, it selected about 50 officers and NCOs from the rehabilitation camps to reactivate a transport wing. In addition, more pilots and ground crew were returned to bring back the assets that were flown to neighboring countries by fleeing pilots in the final days of the Derg.The EPRDF government was cognizant of the critical role of air power, having experienced it first hand during its long war with Derg. It set up a new high command which included senior EPRDF military commanders and former members of ETAF who have previously joined EPRDF. Its primary task was to restore ETAF to operational status.
In August 1992, the flying school was reopened and training of cadets was resumed. As a result, many of the instructor pilots under the Derg regime were allowed to return back. In addition, senior EPRDF commanders assigned to the high command were sent abroad for staff training. The first batch of pilot trainees graduated in June 1995 which continued yearly afterwards. However, the early period was fraught with much friction and mistrust between the retained personnel from the former Derg regime and the EPRDF military commanders assigned to ETAF.
In 1995, the EPRDF government unveiled a plan for a new Ethiopian National Defense Force. The plan called for a smaller air force with streamlined organizational structure and fewer bases. As a medium term solution, ETAF's air and ground assets were to be upgraded with modern systems and completion of the maintenance and overhaul centers started under the Derg. However, lack of finance delayed the implementation of most projects. The political leadership felt there was no threat to speak of facing the country to justify large expenditures, particularly pertaining to the extensive (and expensive) upgrade project for the MIG-21/23 fighter fleet.
The unexpected outbreak of war with Eritrea
Eritrean-Ethiopian War
The Eritrean–Ethiopian War took place from May 1998 to June 2000 between Ethiopia and Eritrea, forming one of the conflicts in the Horn of Africa...
in June 1998 led to a significant change in ETAF. The entire Ethiopian National Defense Force was ill prepared for the conflict. Most of Ethiopia’s ground forces were located in south and southeast. The EPRDF government considered the northern borders to be the most secure due to its then close relationship with Eritrea and had decided to leave the border security in the hands of the local militia and police forces. The case with ETAF was no different which never had replaced its northern command base it lost when Eritrea seceded.
In the two years that followed from 1998–2000 and despite the many constraints, ETAF’s was able to provide crucial support to the ground forces. Su-27 air superiority fighters were acquired along with advanced versions of the Mi-35 helicopter gunships. The Su-27s were used to shoot down two Eritrean Air Force
Eritrean Air Force
The Eritrean Air Force is the official aerial warfare service branch of the Eritrean Defence Forces and is one of the three official uniformed military brances of the State of Eritrea.-History:...
MIG-29s
Mikoyan MiG-29
The Mikoyan MiG-29 is a fourth-generation jet fighter aircraft designed in the Soviet Union for an air superiority role. Developed in the 1970s by the Mikoyan design bureau, it entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1983, and remains in use by the Russian Air Force as well as in many other...
; the first on Feb. 25, 1999 and the second on Feb. 26, 1999. In return Eritrean MiG-29s shot down a total of five MiG-21 and MiG-23 fighters during the war. Lessons learned from the war were incorporated throughout which increased the effectiveness of the ETAF in second year of the war. Su-25T
Sukhoi Su-25
The Sukhoi Su-25 is a single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft developed in the Soviet Union by the Sukhoi Design Bureau. It was designed to provide close air support for the Soviet Ground Forces. The first prototype made its maiden flight on 22 February 1975...
jets with precision strike capability were acquired along with sophisticated electronic warfare systems. Its members undertook dangerous missions deep inside Eritrean territory from interdicting supply lines, reconnaissance and destruction of air defense.
After the war, ETAF was reorganized to better prepare it for future conflicts based on lessons learned during the 1998-2000 war. Changes were made to better reflect in its doctrine the effects of the newer equipments acquired ability to deploy precision guided munitions. The long running maintenance and overhaul center project, DAVEC
DAVEC
The Dejen Aviation Engineering Complex is a center for overhauling and upgrading military aircraft. Its primary objective is to provide depot level maintenance and carry out upgrading/modification to the fleet of the Ethiopian Air Force...
, was also sped up and inaugurated in 2004.
The wars with Somalia
After its independence in 1960, Somalia started making claims to all territories that were largely occupied by ethnic Somalis in neighboring DjiboutiDjibouti
Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
, Ethiopia and Kenya. However, majority of the land claimed was in Ethiopia which made it Somalia's main target. After failing to get support within the Organization of African Unity, Somalia declared war on Ethiopia in 1964. The Somali forces launched their attack at Togochale, a border town east of Jijiga
Jijiga
Jijiga is a city in eastern Ethiopia and the capital of the Somali Region of that country. Located in the Jijiga Zone approximately 80 km east of Harar and 60 km west of the border with Somalia, this city has a latitude and longitude of with an elevation of 1,609 meters above sea...
, but were no match to the comparatively well-equipped air forces of Ethiopia. Using Dire Dawa
Dire Dawa
Dire Dawa is one of two chartered cities in Ethiopia . This chartered city is divided administratively into two woredas, the city proper and the non-urban woreda of Gurgura....
as its main operating base, IEAF F-86s inflicted heavy damage on the invading Somali forces. The aerial support was not limited to combat support. IEAF C-47s, along Ethiopian Airlines DC-3, played a critical role in ferrying troops and supplies to the war front.
The brief conflict provided the IEAF with valuable experience. Lessons learned included the need for heavy bombers, an air defense complex, secure and reliable communication system, and better coordination with ground forces. As a result, Canberra
English Electric Canberra
The English Electric Canberra is a first-generation jet-powered light bomber manufactured in large numbers through the 1950s. The Canberra could fly at a higher altitude than any other bomber through the 1950s and set a world altitude record of 70,310 ft in 1957...
bombers and air defense radars were acquired from Great Britain and the US respectively.
In 1974, a popular unrest against Emperor Haile Selassie led to a military coup. The military then formed a committee from within, known as the Derg, dominated by junior officers and NCOs. Shortly after, it executed 60 top civilian and military officials and imprisoned many others. In addition, the Derg forced out many career military officers it was suspicious of. The army was in shambles and the country was engulfed in a political turmoil. It was during this moment the Somalis launched a massive invasion
Ogaden War
The Ogaden War was a conventional conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia in 1977 and 1978 over the Ogaden region of Ethiopia. In a notable illustration of the nature of Cold War alliances, the Soviet Union switched from supplying aid to Somalia to supporting Ethiopia, which had previously been...
in 1977.
Already alarmed at the increasing noise the Somalis were making, the Derg government had managed to convince the Ford
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
administration to provide Ethiopia with F-5Es. The first batch of seven pilots were sent to Williams Air Force Base
Williams Air Force Base
Williams Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base, located in Mesa, and about southeast of Phoenix, Arizona.It was active as a training base for both the United States Army Air Forces, as well as the USAF from 1941 until its closure in 1993...
in Arizona for conversion and tactical fighter training. However, further training of pilots and delivery of aircraft was stopped after President Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
cut off all arms supplies in protest of the Derg's human rights violations.
Using the eight F-5Es as interceptors, F-5As for close air support and Canberra for heavy bombing, the ETAF swiftly overwhelmed the Somali Air Force. Within the first two weeks of the war, ETAF managed to shoot down 25 Somali MIGs with no air-to-air loses. Throughout the war, it also conducted strikes against several targets deep inside Somalia, including the repeated bombings of the Somali Air Force's northern main operating base at Hargeisa
Hargeisa
Hargeisa is a city in the northwestern Woqooyi Galbeed region of Somalia. With a population of approximately 2 million residents, it is the second largest city in the country. Hargeisa is the capital of Somaliland, a self-declared republic that is internationally recognized as an autonomous region...
and long range attack on the Berbera
Berbera
Berbera is a city and seat of Berbera District in Somaliland, a self-proclaimed Independent Republic with de facto control over its own territory, which is recognized by the international community and the Somali Government as a part of Somalia...
air base.
The ETAF lost three F-5Es to ground fire and one C-47 transport plane to a MIG-17 while one Canberra was flown by a defecting pilot to Somalia. Another Canberra was lost due a mechanical problem deep inside Ethiopia after it suffered hits from ground attack. Two F-5E pilots as well as the C-47 crew were captured by the Somalis while one F-5E pilot was rescued by helicopter. One of the F-5E pilots captured was Legesse Teferra, the most credited with six Somali MIG kills. His F-5E was shot down while overflying an area thought to be in control by Ethiopian forces. He was captured by the local Somali population and was turned over to then Somali army commander of the region, Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf. Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf later became President of Somalia. The other captured F-5E pilot, Afework Kidanu, died while in captivity in Somalia.
Aircraft Inventory
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| Aermacchi SF-260 || || trainer || SF.260TP || 4 ||
|-----
| Aero L-39 Albatros || || trainer || L-39 || 17 ||
|-----
| Aérospatiale SA 316 Alouette III
Aérospatiale Alouette III
The Aérospatiale Alouette III is a single-engine, light utility helicopter developed by Sud Aviation. It was manufactured by Aérospatiale of France, and under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in India as Hal Chetak and Industria Aeronautică Română in Romania.The Alouette III is the...
|| || utility helicopter || SA 316A || 8 ||
|-----
| Antonov An-12
Antonov An-12
The Antonov An-12 is a four-engined turboprop transport aircraft designed in the Soviet Union. It is the military version of the Antonov An-10.-Design and development:...
|| || tactical transport || An-12 || 9 ||
|-----
| Antonov An-24
Antonov An-24
The Antonov An-24 is a 44-seat twin turboprop transport designed and manufactured in the Soviet Union by the Antonov Design Bureau from 1957.-Design and development:...
|| || tactical transport || An-24 || 1 ||
|-----
| Antonov An-26
Antonov An-26
The Antonov An-26 is a twin-engined turboprop military transport aircraft, designed and produced in the USSR from 12 March 1968.-Development:...
|| || tactical transport || An-26 || 1 ||
|-----
| AutoGyro MT-03 || || special missions gyrocopter || MTO Sport || 2 ||
|-----
| Agusta-Bell AB.204 || || utility helicopter || AB204 || 5 || built by Agusta
|-----
| de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo
De Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo
The de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo is a short takeoff and landing utility transport, a turboprop aircraft developed from the earlier piston-powered DHC-4 Caribou...
|| || tactical transport || DHC-5 || 1 ||
|-----
| Lockheed C-130 Hercules || || tactical transport || C-130B
L-100-30 || 2
1 ||
|-----
| Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the Russian stringed musical instrument or ołówek by Polish pilots due to...
|| || fighter || MiG-21
MiG-21U || 18
3 ||
|-----
| Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 is a variable-geometry fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau in the Soviet Union. It is considered to belong to the Soviet third generation jet fighter category, along with similarly aged Soviet fighters such as the MiG-25 "Foxbat"...
|| || fighter || MiG-23
MiG-23UM || 8
4 ||
|-----
| Mil Mi-6
Mil Mi-6
|-Facts:*Test pilot N.B. Leshin has set the world record of speed. This event was awarded by the American Helicopter Society.*Small numbers are still in service, most in Siberia plus a small number with the People's Republic of China...
|| || transport helicopter || Mi-6 || 10 ||
|-----
| Mil Mi-8
Mil Mi-8
The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....
|| / || transport helicopter || Mi-8 || 12 ||
|-----
| Mil Mi-14
Mil Mi-14
|-See also:-External links:******...
|| || antisubmarine helicopter || Mi-14PL || 2 ||
|-----
| Mil Mi-24
Mil Mi-24
The Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship and attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport with room for 8 passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and by over thirty other nations.In NATO circles the export...
|| || attack helicopter || Mi-24
Mi-35 || 15
3 ||
|-----
| Sukhoi Su-25
Sukhoi Su-25
The Sukhoi Su-25 is a single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft developed in the Soviet Union by the Sukhoi Design Bureau. It was designed to provide close air support for the Soviet Ground Forces. The first prototype made its maiden flight on 22 February 1975...
|| || attack || Su-25 || 24 ||
|-----
| Sukhoi Su-27
Sukhoi Su-27
The Sukhoi Su-27 is a twin-engine supermanoeuverable fighter aircraft designed by Sukhoi. It was intended as a direct competitor for the large United States fourth generation fighters, with range, heavy armament, sophisticated avionics and high manoeuvrability...
|| / || multirole fighter || Su-27SK
Su-27P
Su-27UB || 46
3
4 ||
|-----
| Yakovlev Yak-40
Yakovlev Yak-40
The Yakovlev Yak-40 is a small, three-engined airliner that is often called the first regional jet transport aircraft...
|| || VIP || Yak-40 || 1 ||
In addition to the Air Force inventory, the Army operates 2 DHC-6
De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
The DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
transports and 5 Bell 205 helicopters.
Aircraft which have been recently operated by the Air Force include:
- 1 Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma
- 1 Antonov An-32Antonov An-32The Antonov An-32 is a twin-engined turboprop military transport aircraft.-Design and development:The An-32 is basically a re-engined An-26. The launch customer was the Indian Air Force, which ordered this aircraft partly due to good relations between then USSR leader Leonid Brezhnev and then...
- 4 Cessna T-41 Mescalero
- 13 Douglas C-47 Dakota
- 2 Douglas C-54 Skymaster
- 4 English Electric CanberraEnglish Electric CanberraThe English Electric Canberra is a first-generation jet-powered light bomber manufactured in large numbers through the 1950s. The Canberra could fly at a higher altitude than any other bomber through the 1950s and set a world altitude record of 70,310 ft in 1957...
- 10 Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
- 2 Harbin Y-12Harbin Y-12-See also:-Bibliography:* Taylor, John W R. . Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK: Jane's Information Group, 1988. ISBN 07106-0867-5....
- 1 Ilyushin Il-14Ilyushin Il-14The Ilyushin Il-14 was a Soviet twin-engine commercial and military personnel and cargo transport aircraft that first flew in 1950, and entered service in 1954. Il-14 was also manufactured in East Germany by VVB Flugzeugbau, in Czechoslovakia as the Avia 14, and in China under the Chinese...
- 16 Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star
- 20 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 is a high-subsonic fighter aircraft produced in the USSR from 1952 and operated by numerous air forces in many variants. Most MiG-17 variants cannot carry air-to-air missiles, but shot down many aircraft with its cannons...
- 2 Mil Mi-2Mil Mi-2The Mil Mi-2 is a small, lightly armored transport helicopter that could also provide close air support when armed with 57 mm rockets and a 23 mm cannon.-Design and development:...
- 8 North American F-86 Sabre
- 30 North American T-28 Trojan
- 26 Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter
- 6 Saab 91 SafirSaab 91 Safir|-See also:-References:*Smith, Maurice A. . Flight, 23 October 1947, pp. 459–462.-External links:* * * *...
- 1 Tupolev Tu-154Tupolev Tu-154The Tupolev Tu-154 is a three-engine medium-range narrow-body airliner designed in the mid 1960s and manufactured by Tupolev. As the mainstay 'workhorse' of Soviet and Russian airlines for several decades, it serviced over a sixth of the world's landmass and carried half of all passengers flown...
Further reading
- Tom Cooper, African MiGs: MiGs and Sukhois in Service in Sub-Saharan Africa, http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_447.shtml, SHI Publications, ©2004, ISBN 3-200-00088-0, Softbound, 158 Pages