Azerbaijani Air Force
The Azerbaijan Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Azerbaijan Armed Forces. It was formed on August 26, 1992, following the country's independence from the Soviet Union. The air force initially relied on Soviet-era aircraft and equipment, such as MiG-21, MiG-25, and Su-25 fighter jets, as well as Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters. Over the years, Azerbaijan has made efforts to modernize its air force through acquisitions from various countries. It has procured a diverse range of aircraft including MiG-29, Su-24, and Su-27 fighters, as well as L-39 trainers from Ukraine and Poland. Additionally, Azerbaijan has invested in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for surveillance and reconnaissance purposes. The air force has participated in several military conflicts, most notably the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenia. Azerbaijan's air force has also conducted joint exercises with NATO and other partner nations. Currently, the Azerbaijan Air Force remains focused on enhancing its combat capabilities and maintaining a modernized fleet to meet its national defense requirements.
Key facts
| Official Name | Azerbaijani Air Force |
| Local Name | Azərbaycan Hərbi Hava Qüvvələri |
| Country | 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan |
| World rank | #58 |
| Active aircrafts | 148 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 0 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | 86 | |
| Training | 32 | |
| Combat aircrafts | 28 | |
| Transport | 2 | |
Aircrafts most used by Azerbaijani air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi-8 Hip | 64 | Soviet multipurpose helicopter, prevalent during the Cold War, extensively utilized for transport, combat and humanitarian operations globally. | |
| Mi-24 Hind | 16 | Soviet attack helicopter, renowned for Cold War use, predominantly deployed for airborne assault, close combat, and anti-armour roles. | |
| MiG-29 Fulcrum | 15 | Soviet twin-engine fighter jet, notable in late Cold War clashes, widely exported and integral to various aerial engagements globally. | |
| L-39 Albatros | 12 | Czech training jet, operational since the Cold War, deployed worldwide for various military aviation roles. | |
| Su-25 Frogfoot | 11 | Soviet close air support aircraft, prominent during Afghan War, designed for ground targets engagement under heavy fire conditions. | |
| MFI-15 Safari | 10 | Swedish utility aircraft, operational since the 1960s, frequently deployed for training and light transport roles worldwide. | |
| Mi-2 Hoplite | 7 | Soviet light utility helicopter, broadly deployed in Eastern Europe, renowned for agricultural, rescue and military tasks since the 1960s. | |
| MiG-21 Fishbed | 5 | Soviet supersonic jet fighter, renowned for extensive service during the Cold War, prevalent in various international conflicts. | |
| Ka-27 Helix | 4 | Soviet maritime helicopter, primarily deployed for anti-submarine warfare and rescue operations during the Cold War era. | |
| Il-76 Candid | 2 | Soviet strategic airlifter, prominently deployed for both military transport and humanitarian aid operations since the Cold War era. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Azerbaijan Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | MiG-29 | 12 | |
| Su-25 | 11 | ||
| MiG-21 | 5 | ||
| Helicopters | Mi-8/17 | 64 | |
| Mi-24 | 16 | ||
| Ka-32 | 4 | ||
| Bell 412 | 2 | ||
| Training | L-39 | 12 | |
| MFI-395 | 10 | ||
| Mi-2 | 7 | ||
| MiG-29 | 3 | ||
| Transport | Il-76 | 2 |