Ivorian Air Force
The Ivory Coast Air Force, also known as the Force Aérienne de la Côte d'Ivoire, is the air arm of the Ivorian military. Established in 1961, it has had a relatively stable history since its inception. The Air Force primarily operates from its main base at Port Bouet Airport in Abidjan. Its fleet consists of various aircraft, including fighter jets, transport planes, helicopters, and trainer aircraft. The Air Force has participated in several peacekeeping missions, both within the continent of Africa and internationally. It has also been engaged in anti-insurgency operations within the country. In recent years, the Ivory Coast Air Force has undergone limited modernization efforts, acquiring new aircraft and upgrading existing ones. This has resulted in improved capabilities and enhanced readiness. The force continues to play a crucial role in safeguarding national security and supporting the ground forces in various military operations.
Key facts
| Official Name | Ivorian Air Force |
| Local Name | Forces aériennes de Côte d'Ivoire |
| Country | 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast |
| World rank | #140 |
| Active aircrafts | 6 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 1 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Transport | 4 | |
| Special missions | 1 | |
| Helicopters | 1 | |
Aircrafts most used by Ivorian air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| An-26 Curl | 2 | Soviet twin-engined transport aircraft, widely utilized in both civilian and military roles since the 1960s. | |
| Beechcraft 1900 Beechliner | 1 | American regional airliner, extensively deployed domestically and internationally since the 1980s for passenger and freight transportation. | |
| C-295 Persuader | 1 | Spanish tactical military transport aircraft, utilized globally in maritime patrol, surveillance, and humanitarian relief missions since the late 20th century. | |
| King Air 90 | 1 | American twin-turboprop aircraft, prominently deployed for utility, corporate, and military purposes from the 1960s onward. | |
| Mi-24 Hind | 1 | Soviet attack helicopter, renowned for Cold War use, predominantly deployed for airborne assault, close combat, and anti-armour roles. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Ivory Coast Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | Mi-24 | 1 | |
| Special missions | King Air 90 (Recce) | 1 | |
| Transport | An-26 | 2 | |
| Beech 1900 | 1 | ||
| C295/CN235 | 1 | 1 |