Gabonese Air Force
The Gabon Air Force, officially known as the Force Aérienne Gabonaise, is the aerial warfare branch of the Gabonese Armed Forces. It was established in 1960, just after Gabon gained its independence from France. The primary mission of the Gabon Air Force is to provide aerial support to the Gabonese Army and Navy, as well as to safeguard Gabonese airspace. The Air Force operates a limited number of aircraft, including military transport planes, helicopters, and light attack aircraft. These aircraft are used for various purposes, such as troop transport, reconnaissance, search and rescue operations, and aerial surveillance. The Gabon Air Force also plays a role in patrolling Gabon's vast maritime borders. The personnel of the Air Force receive training both domestically and abroad to maintain operational readiness. Over the years, the Gabon Air Force has undergone some modernization efforts to enhance its capabilities, including the acquisition of new aircraft and equipment.
Key facts
| Official Name | Gabonese Air Force |
| Local Name | Armée de l'Air Gabonaise |
| Country | 🇬🇦 Gabon |
| World rank | #113 |
| Active aircrafts | 23 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 0 |
| Roundel |
|
Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | 15 | |
| Combat aircrafts | 6 | |
| Transport | 2 | |
Aircrafts most used by Gabonese air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mirage F1 | 6 | French tactical fighter jet, prominent during the Cold War, extensively deployed in various intercontinental conflicts. | |
| SA330 Puma | 5 | French medium-lift utility helicopter with extensive global service in troop transport since the late 1960s. | |
| SA340 Gazelle | 3 | French light utility helicopter, known for its extensive use in military and civil applications since its 1960s introduction. | |
| H120 / EC120 Colibri | 2 | French light utility helicopter, notable for widespread civil use and law enforcement operations since the late 20th century. | |
| H135M / EC365 | 2 | European light utility helicopter, prominent in law enforcement, medical services, and military operations worldwide since the late 20th century. | |
| SA316 Alouette III | 2 | French utility helicopter, popular in the Cold War-era, extensively utilized for search and rescue, and light transport roles. | |
| C-130 Hercules | 1 | American military transport aircraft, known for significant roles in Vietnam War and Desert Storm, extensively used for various cargo missions. | |
| CN-235 | 1 | Spanish-Indonesian transport aircraft, widespread use in the civil sector, military services, and humanitarian aid, developed during the late 20th century. | |
| H215M / AS532 Cougar | 1 | French utility helicopter, notable for search and rescue missions, extensively utilized in military and civilian sectors since the 1970s. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Gabon Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | Mirage F1 | ||
| Helicopters | SA330 | ||
| SA342 | |||
| H120 | |||
| H135 | |||
| SA319 | |||
| H215M/AS332 | |||
| Transport | C-130H | ||
| CN235 |