Mauritania Islamic Air Force
The Mauritania Air Force, officially known as Armée de l'Air Mauritanienne, is the aerial warfare branch of the Mauritanian Armed Forces. Established in 1960 following Mauritania's independence from France, the Air Force primarily focuses on defending national airspace and supporting ground forces. Its fleet comprises a variety of aircraft, mainly consisting of older types, due to limited resources for modernization. The backbone of the Air Force is formed by aging Mirage F1 and MiG-21 fighter aircraft, which are utilized for air defense operations. It also maintains a small number of transport aircraft, including C-212 Aviocar and CN-235 models, for logistic and humanitarian missions. In addition, the Air Force possesses several helicopters, such as the SA 342 Gazelle and the Mi-17, to enhance its transport and utility capabilities. The Mauritania Air Force continues to play a vital role in safeguarding the nation's airspace and supporting national security objectives.
Key facts
| Official Name | Mauritania Islamic Air Force |
| Local Name | القوات الجوية الموريتانية (Al Quwwāt al Jawwiya al Mūrītānīya) |
| Country | 🇲🇷 Mauritania |
| World rank | #114 |
| Active aircrafts | 23 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 0 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Training | 7 | |
| Transport | 6 | |
| Helicopters | 4 | |
| Combat aircrafts | 4 | |
| Special missions | 2 | |
Aircrafts most used by Mauritanian air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMB 312 Tucano | 9 | Brazilian military trainer aircraft, utilized heavily in the 1980s, known for participation in the Iran–Iraq war. | |
| AW109 | 2 | Italian multipurpose helicopter, notable for its use in law enforcement, air ambulance and military roles since the late 1970s. | |
| 208 Caravan | 2 | American utility aircraft, primarily deployed for passenger and cargo transportation, known for its operational history since the 1980s. | |
| CN-235 | 2 | Spanish-Indonesian transport aircraft, widespread use in the civil sector, military services, and humanitarian aid, developed during the late 20th century. | |
| SF-260 | 2 | Italian light military trainer, globally utilized since the 1960s, renowned for its aerobatic capabilities and air force service. | |
| Z-9 Haitun | 2 | Chinese utility helicopter, widely deployed for anti-submarine and SAR missions since the late 20th century. | |
| 441 Conquest II | 1 | American turboprop aircraft, known for general aviation use and commercial services, with comprehensive operational history since the late 20th century. | |
| DC-3 | 1 | American commercial airliner, renowned for significant contributions to World War II airlift operations, frequently used for cargo and passenger transport. | |
| PC-6 Porter | 1 | Swiss light utility aircraft, renowned for its versatility and ruggedness, extensively utilized in remote areas for cargo transport and search and rescue missions. | |
| Y-12 | 1 | Chinese twin-engine light utility aircraft, recognized from its 1980s development, frequently used for passenger and cargo transportation. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Mauritanian Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | EMB-314 (A-29) | ||
| Helicopters | AW109 | ||
| Z-9 | |||
| Special missions | Cessna 208 (Recce) | ||
| Training | EMB-312 | ||
| SF-260 | |||
| Transport | CN235 | ||
| BT-67 | |||
| Cessna 441 | |||
| PC-6 | |||
| Y-12 |