Kuwait Air Force
The Kuwait Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Kuwait Armed Forces. It was established in 1953 under the leadership of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, the first Emir of Kuwait, and has since grown into a capable air force. Initially, it operated with a small number of aircraft, mainly trainers and transport planes. Over the years, the Kuwait Air Force has been involved in various conflicts, including the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s and the Gulf War in 1990. During these conflicts, the air force faced significant losses and infrastructure damage. However, since then, it has gradually rebuilt its capabilities and expanded its fleet with different types of combat and support aircraft. Today, the Kuwait Air Force operates a mix of modern fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopters, and air defense systems. It continually strives to enhance its capabilities through training programs and partnerships with other countries to maintain the security and defense of Kuwait.
Key facts
| Official Name | Kuwait Air Force |
| Local Name | القوات الجوية الكويتية (Al Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya) |
| Country | 🇰🇼 Kuwait |
| World rank | #69 |
| Active aircrafts | 114 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 75 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | 63 | |
| Combat aircrafts | 33 | |
| Training | 13 | |
| Tankers | 3 | |
| Transport | 2 | |
| Special missions | 0 | |
Aircrafts most used by Kuwaiti air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| F/A-18 Hornet | 34 | American multirole fighter, prominent during the Gulf War, extensively deployed for ground-attack, fleet defense, and close air support missions. | |
| H225M / EC725 Caracal | 23 | European long-range tactical transport military helicopter, featuring advanced avionics and systems, used for roles including troop transport and special operations. | |
| AH-64 Apache | 16 | American attack helicopter, developed during the Cold War, most famous for significant deployments in Gulf War and Afghanistan conflict. | |
| SA340 Gazelle | 13 | French light utility helicopter, known for its extensive use in military and civil applications since its 1960s introduction. | |
| Hawk | 6 | British trainer jet, distinguished in Red Arrows aerobatic team, extensively operational since the 1970s worldwide. | |
| SA330 Puma | 6 | French medium-lift utility helicopter with extensive global service in troop transport since the late 1960s. | |
| Typhoon | 6 | European multirole fighter, renowned for service in multinational military operations since late 20th century, noted for superior air-to-air and air-to-surface capabilities. | |
| H215M / AS532 Cougar | 5 | French utility helicopter, notable for search and rescue missions, extensively utilized in military and civilian sectors since the 1970s. | |
| KC-130 Hercules | 3 | American military transport aircraft, noted for tactical refueling and cargo application, extensively operational during Cold War era and beyond. | |
| C-17 Globemaster III | 2 | American military transport aircraft, extensively deployed in global conflict zones since the 1990s for strategic airlift missions. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Kuwait Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | F/A-18E | 32 | |
| F/A-18C | 27 | ||
| Eurofighter Typhoon | 6 | 22 | |
| Helicopters | H225M | 20 | |
| AH-64D/E | 16 | 8 | |
| SA342 | 13 | ||
| SA330 | 6 | ||
| H215M/AS332 | 5 | ||
| Special missions | King Air 350 (Recce) | 4 | |
| Tankers | KC-130J | 3 | |
| Training | F/A-18F | 8 | |
| F/A-18D | 7 | ||
| Hawk 64 | 6 | ||
| Transport | C-17 | 2 |
Kuwait Naval Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | H225M | 3 | 1 |