Philippine Air Force

The Philippines Air Force (PAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Established on July 1, 1947, it traces its roots back to the Philippine Constabulary Air Corps created in 1935. The PAF is primarily tasked with defending the Philippine airspace and conducting air operations in support of ground, naval, and Special Operations Forces. It operates a wide array of aircraft, including fighter jets, attack helicopters, transport planes, utility helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Key aircraft in its inventory include the FA-50PH fighter jets, MD-520MG attack helicopters, C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, and UH-1H Huey helicopters. The PAF has played a significant role in various operations, including internal security missions and disaster response efforts. It has undergone modernization efforts in recent years to enhance its capabilities and maintain its readiness to address various threats and challenges. The Air Force also participates in international training exercises and collaborates closely with allied countries to promote regional stability and security.

Key facts

Official Name	Philippine Air Force
Local Name	Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas
Country	🇵🇭 Philippines
World rank	#52
Active aircrafts	182 (as of 2024)
Aircrafts on order	56
Roundel

Number of active aircrafts by type

Aircraft type	Active
Helicopters	102
Combat aircrafts	25
Training	24
Transport	23
Special missions	8

Aircrafts most used by Philippine air forces

Aircraft	Active	Type
UH-1 Iroquois "Huey"	38	American utility helicopter, essential in the Vietnam War, extensively employed for medevac, transport, and combat operations.
MD-500	24	American light helicopter, renowned during the Cold War era, predominantly deployed for law enforcement and utility applications.
SF-260	21	Italian light military trainer, globally utilized since the 1960s, renowned for its aerobatic capabilities and air force service.
UH-60 Black Hawk	15	American utility helicopter, renowned for service in Iraq and Afghanistan, extensively employed for troop transport and medical evacuation.
T-50 Golden Eagle	12	South Korean supersonic trainer jet, utilized since 2005 with notable deployment in Iraq and the Philippines.
S-76 Spirit	9	American medium-size commercial utility helicopter, commonly used in civil, transport and search and rescue services since the 1970s.
AW109	8	Italian multipurpose helicopter, notable for its use in law enforcement, air ambulance and military roles since the late 1970s.
OV-10 Bronco	7	American light attack and observation aircraft, notable for its use during the Vietnam War, especially in counter-insurgency operations.
EMB 312 Tucano	6	Brazilian military trainer aircraft, utilized heavily in the 1980s, known for participation in the Iran–Iraq war.
BN-2B Defender	5	British light-utility aircraft, notably deployed for surveillance, logistical operations, and transport duties in various global regions.

Full inventory in 2024