Royal Brunei Air Force
The Brunei Air Force, known as the Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei (TUDM), is the aerial warfare branch of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. Established on 31 May 1965, it operates under the Ministry of Defence and serves to defend Brunei's airspace and protect the country's sovereignty. The air force is equipped with a fleet of aircraft, including fixed-wing planes and helicopters, to conduct various missions such as reconnaissance, surveillance, transport, and search and rescue. Notably, the TUDM operates a mix of platforms, including the Pilatus PC-7 training aircraft, Pilatus PC-9M advanced trainers, Bell 212 and Sikorsky S-70A Black Hawk helicopters. In recent years, Brunei has sought to modernize its air force capabilities through foreign acquisitions, including the purchase of new aircraft such as the Airbus H125M helicopters and CASA C-295 transport planes. The TUDM remains committed to maintaining operational readiness and enhancing its capabilities to protect Brunei's airspace and contribute to regional security.
Key facts
| Official Name | Royal Brunei Air Force |
| Local Name | Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei |
| Country | 🇧🇳 Brunei |
| World rank | #118 |
| Active aircrafts | 20 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 0 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | 13 | |
| Training | 6 | |
| Transport | 1 | |
Aircrafts most used by Bruneian air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UH-60 Black Hawk | 12 | American utility helicopter, renowned for service in Iraq and Afghanistan, extensively employed for troop transport and medical evacuation. | |
| PC-7 Turbo Trainer | 4 | Swiss-made turbo trainer, distinguished by service in over 30 air forces, dating back to the late 1970s. | |
| 206 JetRanger | 2 | American light helicopter, well known for civilian, military, emergency medical services, and offshore oil support roles since the 1960s. | |
| CN-235 | 1 | Spanish-Indonesian transport aircraft, widespread use in the civil sector, military services, and humanitarian aid, developed during the late 20th century. | |
| 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
Royal Brunei Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | S-70i | 12 | |
| Bell 214 | 1 | ||
| Training | PC-7 Mk II | 4 | |
| Bell 206 | 2 | ||
| Transport | CN235 | 1 |