Burkina Faso Air Force
The Burkina Faso Air Force, officially known as the ArmƩe de l'Air du Burkina Faso, is the aerial branch of the Burkina Faso Armed Forces. It was established in 1964 following the country's independence from France. The primary mission of the air force is to provide air support to ground forces and ensure national security. The air force operates a modest fleet of aircraft, which includes transport planes, helicopters, and light attack aircraft. Some of the aircraft in service include the Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, Cessna 208 Caravan, and Mil Mi-17 helicopter. The air force is also responsible for aerial reconnaissance and surveillance activities. Burkina Faso does not have any known fixed-wing combat aircraft or sophisticated air defense systems. The air force has participated in regional peacekeeping missions, such as the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Overall, the Burkina Faso Air Force remains a relatively small and limited air force with a focus primarily on supporting ground forces and maintaining national security.
Key facts
| Official Name | Burkina Faso Air Force |
| Local Name | Force AĆ©rienne de Burkina |
| Country | š§š« Burkina Faso |
| World rank | #116 |
| Active aircrafts | 20 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 2 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | 10 | |
| Training | 4 | |
| Combat aircrafts | 3 | |
| Transport | 2 | |
| Special missions | 1 | |
Aircrafts most used by Burkinabe air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| H125M / AS550 Fennec | 4 | French military variant helicopter, notable for service in Desert Storm and Afghanistan, widely employed for scouting and light attack roles. | |
| SF-260 | 4 | Italian light military trainer, globally utilized since the 1960s, renowned for its aerobatic capabilities and air force service. | |
| EMB 312 Tucano | 3 | Brazilian military trainer aircraft, utilized heavily in the 1980s, known for participation in the IranāIraq war. | |
| Mi-8 Hip | 3 | Soviet multipurpose helicopter, prevalent during the Cold War, extensively utilized for transport, combat and humanitarian operations globally. | |
| Mi-24 Hind | 2 | Soviet attack helicopter, renowned for Cold War use, predominantly deployed for airborne assault, close combat, and anti-armour roles. | |
| C-295 Persuader | 1 | Spanish tactical military transport aircraft, utilized globally in maritime patrol, surveillance, and humanitarian relief missions since the late 20th century. | |
| DA42 Twin Star | 1 | Austrian twin-engine propeller-driven airplane, notable for its utility in civil aviation and pilot training post-2004. | |
| King Air 90 | 1 | American twin-turboprop aircraft, prominently deployed for utility, corporate, and military purposes from the 1960s onward. | |
| UH-1 Iroquois "Huey" | 1 | American utility helicopter, essential in the Vietnam War, extensively employed for medevac, transport, and combat operations. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Burkina Faso Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | EMB-314 | 3 | |
| Helicopters | H125M/AS350/550 | 4 | |
| Mi-8/171 | 3 | 2 | |
| Mi-24 | 2 | ||
| UH-1H | 1 | ||
| Special missions | DA42 (Recce) | 1 | |
| Training | SF-260 | 4 | |
| Transport | C295 | 1 | |
| King Air 200 | 1 |