Cameroonian Air Force
The Cameroon Air Force is the aerial branch of the Armed Forces of Cameroon, serving as the country's primary defense against airborne threats. It was established on July 1, 1960, shortly after Cameroon gained its independence from France. The air force operates under the command of the Ministry of Defense and is tasked with various roles including air defense, reconnaissance, transportation, and close air support. Its fleet consists of a diverse range of aircraft, including fighter jets, attack helicopters, transport planes, and utility helicopters. Notable aircraft in its inventory include the MiG-29 fighter jets, Aérospatiale Gazelle helicopters, C-130 Hercules transport planes, and the Alpha Jet trainers. The Cameroon Air Force has participated in several regional and international peacekeeping operations, demonstrating its commitment to regional stability. It has also been involved in supporting domestic security operations, including anti-insurgent efforts against the Boko Haram terrorist group in the Far North region of the country.
Key facts
| Official Name | Cameroonian Air Force |
| Local Name | Cameroon Air Force |
| Country | 🇨🇲 Cameroon |
| World rank | #107 |
| Active aircrafts | 31 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 0 |
| Roundel |
|
Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | 17 | |
| Transport | 6 | |
| Training | 6 | |
| Special missions | 2 | |
Aircrafts most used by Cameroonian air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alphajet | 6 | French-German trainer jet, known for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) pilot training, used particularly from late 1970s onward. | |
| Mi-17 Hip-H | 5 | Soviet transport helicopter, prominently deployed during Afghan War, globally used for cargo, troop transport, and rescue missions. | |
| AW109 | 4 | Italian multipurpose helicopter, notable for its use in law enforcement, air ambulance and military roles since the late 1970s. | |
| C-130 Hercules | 3 | American military transport aircraft, known for significant roles in Vietnam War and Desert Storm, extensively used for various cargo missions. | |
| 208 Caravan | 3 | American utility aircraft, primarily deployed for passenger and cargo transportation, known for its operational history since the 1980s. | |
| Z-9 Haitun | 3 | Chinese utility helicopter, widely deployed for anti-submarine and SAR missions since the late 20th century. | |
| SA330 Puma | 2 | French medium-lift utility helicopter with extensive global service in troop transport since the late 1960s. | |
| An-26 Curl | 1 | Soviet twin-engined transport aircraft, widely utilized in both civilian and military roles since the 1960s. | |
| 206 JetRanger | 1 | 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. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Cameroon Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | Mi-17 | 5 | |
| AW109 | 4 | ||
| Z-9 | 3 | ||
| SA330 | 2 | ||
| Bell 206 | 1 | ||
| SA318 | 1 | ||
| Bell 412 | 1 | ||
| Special missions | Cessna 208 (Recce) | 2 | |
| Training | Alpha Jet | 6 | |
| Transport | C-130H | 3 | |
| MA60 | 1 | ||
| Cessna 208 | 1 | ||
| CN235 | 1 |