Chilean Air Force

The Chile Air Force, officially known as the Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aérea de Chile or FACh), is the aerial branch of the Chilean military. It was established on March 21, 1930, making it the oldest independent air force in South America. The Air Force is primarily responsible for the defense of Chilean airspace and supporting the army and navy in joint military operations. It operates various aircraft, including fighter jets, helicopters, transport planes, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Over the years, the Chile Air Force has undergone modernization efforts, acquiring advanced weapons systems and technology to enhance its capabilities. The country also manufactures some of its military aircraft, such as the F-16 fighter jets and C-101 training aircraft under a licensed production agreement. The Chilean Air Force actively participates in international missions, including UN peacekeeping operations and humanitarian aid missions. It played a crucial role during the 1973 military coup, providing aerial support to the Chilean Army. The Air Force is headquartered in Santiago, and its mission is to contribute to the country's national security and protect the sovereignty of Chilean airspace.

Key facts

Official Name	Chilean Air Force
Local Name	Fuerza Aérea de Chile
Country	🇨🇱 Chile
World rank	#35
Active aircrafts	289 (as of 2024)
Aircrafts on order	27
Roundel

Number of active aircrafts by type

Aircraft type	Active
Training	106
Helicopters	80
Combat aircrafts	45
Transport	32
Special missions	20
Tankers	6

Aircrafts most used by Chilean air forces

Aircraft	Active	Type
F-16 Fighting Falcon	46	American multirole fighter, famed in late Cold War conflicts, renowned for performance in precision daytime strikes and defensive counter air operations.
T-35 Pillan	31	Chilean trainer aircraft, popular in the late 20th century, extensively utilized for military pilot training worldwide.
UH-1 Iroquois "Huey"	25	American utility helicopter, essential in the Vietnam War, extensively employed for medevac, transport, and combat operations.
EMB 312 Tucano	22	Brazilian military trainer aircraft, utilized heavily in the 1980s, known for participation in the Iran–Iraq war.
C-101 Aviojet	19	Spanish jet trainer and light attack aircraft, deployed in the late 20th century, notably utilized by the Chilean and Spanish Air Forces.
H125M / AS550 Fennec	17	French military variant helicopter, notable for service in Desert Storm and Afghanistan, widely employed for scouting and light attack roles.
H215M / AS532 Cougar	17	French utility helicopter, notable for search and rescue missions, extensively utilized in military and civilian sectors since the 1970s.
DHC-6 Twin Otter	13	Canadian utility aircraft, vital in civil and military operations worldwide since the 1960s, famous for its STOL capabilities.
F-5E Tiger II	10	American fighter jet, used in the Cold War era, notable for its worldwide military deployments, including operation Desert Storm.
MD-500	8	American light helicopter, renowned during the Cold War era, predominantly deployed for law enforcement and utility applications.

Full inventory in 2024