Cuban Revolutionary Air Force
The Cuba Air Force, officially known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces Air and Air Defense Force, is the air arm of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces. Established on April 17, 1959, following the Cuban Revolution, the Cuba Air Force played a crucial role in defending Cuban airspace during the early years of the Cold War. It primarily consists of fighter aircraft, ground attack aircraft, transport aircraft, and helicopters. Notable aircraft operated by the Cuba Air Force include the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, MiG-29, and the Sukhoi Su-27. The air force also operates various types of surface-to-air missile systems for air defense purposes. Over the years, it has focused on maintaining a capable force to protect Cuban airspace and has participated in national defense exercises and international training exercises with other countries. The Cuba Air Force operates under the command of the General Staff of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and is subject to the direction of the Communist Party of Cuba.
Key facts
| Official Name | Cuban Revolutionary Air Force |
| Local Name | Defensa Anti-Aérea y Fuerza Aérea Revolucionaria |
| Country | 🇨🇺 Cuba |
| World rank | #80 |
| Active aircrafts | 80 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 0 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | 38 | |
| Training | 26 | |
| Helicopters | 14 | |
| Transport | 2 | |
Aircrafts most used by Cuban air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| L-39 Albatros | 26 | Czech training jet, operational since the Cold War, deployed worldwide for various military aviation roles. | |
| MiG-23 Flogger | 24 | Soviet third-generation jet fighter, notable for its service during the Cold War, often deployed in interceptor and ground-attack roles. | |
| MiG-21 Fishbed | 11 | Soviet supersonic jet fighter, renowned for extensive service during the Cold War, prevalent in various international conflicts. | |
| Mi-8 Hip | 10 | Soviet multipurpose helicopter, prevalent during the Cold War, extensively utilized for transport, combat and humanitarian operations globally. | |
| Mi-24 Hind | 4 | Soviet attack helicopter, renowned for Cold War use, predominantly deployed for airborne assault, close combat, and anti-armour roles. | |
| MiG-29 Fulcrum | 3 | Soviet twin-engine fighter jet, notable in late Cold War clashes, widely exported and integral to various aerial engagements globally. | |
| An-26 Curl | 2 | Soviet twin-engined transport aircraft, widely utilized in both civilian and military roles since the 1960s. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Cuban Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | MiG-23 | 24 | |
| MiG-21 | 11 | ||
| MiG-29 | 3 | ||
| Helicopters | Mi-8/17 | 10 | |
| Mi-35 | 4 | ||
| Training | L-39 | 26 | |
| Transport | An-26 | 2 |