Djibouti Air Force

The Djibouti Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Djibouti Armed Forces. Established in 1977 following Djibouti's independence from France, the air force primarily focuses on the defense of Djibouti's airspace. It operates mainly from the Ambouli International Airport, with a modest fleet consisting of transport aircraft and helicopters. The air force enhances Djibouti's national security capabilities by conducting aerial surveillance, reconnaissance, and transportation missions. Its fleet includes various aircraft models such as the Harbin Y-12, CASA C-212, Mil Mi-35, and Eurocopter AS532 Cougar. The air force has limited capabilities for air defense and provides support to ground forces during military operations, particularly in counter-terrorism efforts in the region. Additionally, it plays a vital role in facilitating humanitarian and disaster relief operations. Through its modest fleet and operations, the Djibouti Air Force contributes to the defense and stability of the country.

Key facts

Official Name	Djibouti Air Force
Local Name	Force aérienne djiboutienne
Country	🇩🇯 Djibouti
World rank	#131
Active aircrafts	13 (as of 2024)
Aircrafts on order	0
Roundel

Number of active aircrafts by type

Aircraft type	Active
Helicopters	10
Transport	3

Aircrafts most used by Djibouti air forces

Aircraft	Active	Type
H125M / AS550 Fennec	5	French military variant helicopter, notable for service in Desert Storm and Afghanistan, widely employed for scouting and light attack roles.
An-26 Curl	2	Soviet twin-engined transport aircraft, widely utilized in both civilian and military roles since the 1960s.
Mi-24 Hind	2	Soviet attack helicopter, renowned for Cold War use, predominantly deployed for airborne assault, close combat, and anti-armour roles.
Mi-8 Hip	2	Soviet multipurpose helicopter, prevalent during the Cold War, extensively utilized for transport, combat and humanitarian operations globally.
208 Caravan	1	American utility aircraft, primarily deployed for passenger and cargo transportation, known for its operational history since the 1980s.
Z-9 Haitun	1	Chinese utility helicopter, widely deployed for anti-submarine and SAR missions since the late 20th century.

Full inventory in 2024