Nicaraguan Army Air Force
The Nicaragua Air Force, also known as the Fuerza Aérea de Nicaragua (FAN), is the aerial branch of the Nicaraguan military. It was officially established on October 2, 1948. The FAN operates under the Ministry of Defense and is responsible for maintaining national security through aerial defense and surveillance missions. The air force primarily consists of various aircraft for different purposes, including combat, transport, and training. Its fleet includes Chinese-built K-8 Karakorum, Cessna A-37 Dragonfly, and Aermacchi SF.260 trainers. The FAN has a small but capable force, and its primary focus is on safeguarding Nicaragua's airspace from potential threats. It has also contributed to international peacekeeping missions as part of United Nations forces. The Nicaragua Air Force has gone through periods of modernization and equipment upgrades over the years, aiming to enhance its operational capabilities.
Key facts
| Official Name | Nicaraguan Army Air Force |
| Local Name | Fuerza Aérea de Nicaragua |
| Country | 🇳🇮 Nicaragua |
| World rank | #127 |
| Active aircrafts | 16 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 0 |
| Roundel |
|
Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | 10 | |
| Transport | 5 | |
| Training | 1 | |
Aircrafts most used by Nicaraguan air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi-8 Hip | 9 | Soviet multipurpose helicopter, prevalent during the Cold War, extensively utilized for transport, combat and humanitarian operations globally. | |
| An-26 Curl | 4 | Soviet twin-engined transport aircraft, widely utilized in both civilian and military roles since the 1960s. | |
| 206 JetRanger | 1 | American light helicopter, well known for civilian, military, emergency medical services, and offshore oil support roles since the 1960s. | |
| King Air 90 | 1 | American twin-turboprop aircraft, prominently deployed for utility, corporate, and military purposes from the 1960s onward. | |
| R44 Raven | 1 | American light, four-seat helicopter, extensively used worldwide for civilian operations, military training, and police usage since the 1990s. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Nicaraguan Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | Mi-8/171 | 9 | |
| Bell 206 | 1 | ||
| Training | R44 | 1 | |
| Transport | An-26 | 4 | |
| King Air 90 | 1 |