Kenya Air Force
The Kenya Air Force (KAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the Kenya Defence Forces. It was established in 1964, shortly after Kenya gained independence from British colonial rule. The primary mission of the KAF is to defend Kenyan airspace and support ground forces in operations by providing air support, transport, and reconnaissance. The KAF operates a fleet of various aircraft, including fighter jets, transport planes, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Notable aircraft used by the KAF include F-5 Tiger II and F-CK-1 Ching-kuo fighter jets, C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, and various models of helicopters such as the MD 500, Bell 206, and AugustaWestland AW139. The KAF has participated in regional and international peacekeeping missions. It has also played a crucial role in providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations within Kenya and the region. The KAF continues to train and modernize its fleet to enhance its operational capabilities and maintain readiness for any potential threats to national security.
Key facts
| Official Name | Kenya Air Force |
| Country | 🇰🇪 Kenya |
| World rank | #55 |
| Active aircrafts | 156 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 16 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | 87 | |
| Training | 31 | |
| Transport | 19 | |
| Combat aircrafts | 17 | |
| Special missions | 2 | |
Aircrafts most used by Kenyan air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MD-500 | 45 | American light helicopter, renowned during the Cold War era, predominantly deployed for law enforcement and utility applications. | |
| F-5E Tiger II | 17 | American fighter jet, used in the Cold War era, notable for its worldwide military deployments, including operation Desert Storm. | |
| G-120 | 14 | German trainer aircraft, utilized worldwide for military pilot training, developed in the late 20th century. | |
| SA330 Puma | 13 | French medium-lift utility helicopter with extensive global service in troop transport since the late 1960s. | |
| EMB 312 Tucano | 11 | Brazilian military trainer aircraft, utilized heavily in the 1980s, known for participation in the Iran–Iraq war. | |
| Y-12 | 10 | Chinese twin-engine light utility aircraft, recognized from its 1980s development, frequently used for passenger and cargo transportation. | |
| H125M / AS550 Fennec | 9 | French military variant helicopter, notable for service in Desert Storm and Afghanistan, widely employed for scouting and light attack roles. | |
| UH-1 Iroquois "Huey" | 7 | American utility helicopter, essential in the Vietnam War, extensively employed for medevac, transport, and combat operations. | |
| F-5 Freedom Fighter | 6 | American light fighter of Cold War era, notable for worldwide deployment, used extensively in Vietnam and various regional conflicts. | |
| Z-9 Haitun | 6 | Chinese utility helicopter, widely deployed for anti-submarine and SAR missions since the late 20th century. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Kenya Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | F-5E | ||
| AT-802L | |||
| Helicopters | H125M/AS550 | ||
| UH-1H | |||
| Z-9 | |||
| AW139 | |||
| AH-1F | |||
| Mi-171 | |||
| SA330 | |||
| Special missions | Cessna 208 (Recce) | ||
| Training | G120TP | ||
| F-5F | |||
| G120A | |||
| Tucano T51 | |||
| AT-504 | |||
| Transport | Dash 8 | ||
| C-27J | |||
| Cessna 208 | |||
| Y-12 | |||
| An-28/M28 |
Kenya Army
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | MD500/530F |