Panamanian National Aeronaval Service
The Panama Air Force, officially known as the Fuerza Aérea Panameña (FAP), is the aerial warfare branch of the Panamanian National Guard. It was established on October 31, 1947, and has been primarily focused on the defense and security of Panama's airspace throughout its history. The FAP operates a modest fleet of aircraft, including transports, helicopters, and light attack planes. The force has also been involved in humanitarian aid missions, disaster relief operations, and search and rescue efforts both domestically and internationally. Furthermore, the FAP has participated in joint military exercises with neighboring countries and has cooperated with international organizations in support of regional peacekeeping and security initiatives. The Panamanian Air Force has undergone some modernization efforts over the years, acquiring newer aircraft and improving its training and operational capabilities. Overall, the FAP maintains a defensive posture and strives to protect Panama's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Key facts
| Official Name | Panamanian National Aeronaval Service |
| Local Name | Fuerza Aérea Panameña |
| Country | 🇵🇦 Panama |
| World rank | #97 |
| Active aircrafts | 41 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 0 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | 22 | |
| Transport | 14 | |
| Training | 4 | |
| Special missions | 1 | |
Aircrafts most used by Panamanian air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UH-1 Iroquois "Huey" | 13 | American utility helicopter, essential in the Vietnam War, extensively employed for medevac, transport, and combat operations. | |
| AW139 | 7 | Italian multi-purpose helicopter, highly significant in SAR, EMS, offshore transportation, law enforcement roles, since its introduction in 2003. | |
| T-35 Pillan | 4 | Chilean trainer aircraft, popular in the late 20th century, extensively utilized for military pilot training worldwide. | |
| C-212 Aviocar | 3 | Spanish light transport plane, renowned for its versatility, extensively used for surveillance, rescue, and paratrooping missions since the 1970s. | |
| 208 Caravan | 3 | American utility aircraft, primarily deployed for passenger and cargo transportation, known for its operational history since the 1980s. | |
| King Air 90 | 3 | American twin-turboprop aircraft, prominently deployed for utility, corporate, and military purposes from the 1960s onward. | |
| DHC-6 Twin Otter | 2 | Canadian utility aircraft, vital in civil and military operations worldwide since the 1960s, famous for its STOL capabilities. | |
| PA-31 Navajo | 2 | American light, twin-engined aircraft, used extensively for air taxi, flight training, and personal use during the late 20th century. | |
| AW109 | 1 | Italian multipurpose helicopter, notable for its use in law enforcement, air ambulance and military roles since the late 1970s. | |
| Beechcraft Baron | 1 | American light, twin-engined piston aircraft, utilized globally for business, personal, and flight training purposes since the mid-20th century. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Aeronaval Service of Panama
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | AW139 | 7 | |
| Bell 212/412 | 6 | ||
| UH-1H | 6 | ||
| AW109 | 1 | ||
| MD500 | 1 | ||
| Bell 205 | 1 | ||
| Special missions | King Air 350 (MPA) | 1 | |
| Training | T-35 | 4 | |
| Transport | C212 | 3 | |
| Cessna 208 | 3 | ||
| DHC-6 | 2 | ||
| King Air 100/250 | 2 | ||
| PA-31 | 2 | ||
| Beechcraft Baron | 1 | ||
| PA-34 | 1 |