Sudanese Air Force
The Sudan Air Force, officially established on 1 July 1956, is the aerial warfare branch of the Sudanese Armed Forces. Initially composed of a small fleet of vintage aircraft, it has since expanded and diversified its capabilities. During the first Sudanese civil war, which began shortly after independence, the air force played a crucial role by providing close air support to ground forces. Over the years, the Sudan Air Force has undergone several reorganizations and upgrades to improve its operational efficiency and combat readiness. Its fleet consists of various aircraft types, including fighter jets, trainer aircraft, transport planes, and helicopters. The air force has also invested in air defense systems to safeguard Sudanese airspace. Apart from national defense duties, the Sudan Air Force has participated in peacekeeping missions with the United Nations, showcasing its commitment to regional stability. Training and cooperation agreements with friendly nations have contributed to the ongoing professional development of its personnel, ensuring that the Sudan Air Force remains an operational military force in the region.
Key facts
| Official Name | Sudanese Air Force |
| Local Name | القوات الجوية السودانية (Al Quwwat al Jawwiya as-Sudaniya) |
| Country | 🇸🇩 Sudan |
| World rank | #51 |
| Active aircrafts | 191 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 0 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | 82 | |
| Helicopters | 72 | |
| Transport | 25 | |
| Training | 12 | |
Aircrafts most used by Sudanese air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi-24 Hind | 43 | Soviet attack helicopter, renowned for Cold War use, predominantly deployed for airborne assault, close combat, and anti-armour roles. | |
| Mi-8 Hip | 24 | Soviet multipurpose helicopter, prevalent during the Cold War, extensively utilized for transport, combat and humanitarian operations globally. | |
| J-7 Fishcan | 20 | Chinese jet fighter, notable for usage in the late Cold War era, widely deployed in the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis. | |
| Q-5 / A-5 Fantan | 20 | Chinese ground-attack aircraft, notable for service in the Cold War period, often utilized in Pakistani and North Korean operations. | |
| Su-25 Frogfoot | 14 | Soviet close air support aircraft, prominent during Afghan War, designed for ground targets engagement under heavy fire conditions. | |
| MiG-29 Fulcrum | 11 | Soviet twin-engine fighter jet, notable in late Cold War clashes, widely exported and integral to various aerial engagements globally. | |
| An-12 Cub | 10 | Soviet cargo aircraft, significantly deployed during the Cold War, primarily used for military transport. | |
| An-30 Clank | 8 | Soviet photo-mapping aircraft, operational in Cold War-era, widely utilised for aerial cartography and surveillance roles. | |
| MiG-19 Farmer | 8 | Soviet fighter jet, operational during the Cold War, notably used in various conflicts like the Vietnam and Indo-Pakistan Wars. | |
| JL-9 | 6 | Chinese advanced trainer jet, operational since the 2000s, extensively used for fighter-bomber training by the People's Liberation Army Air Force. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Sudan Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | A-5 | 20 | |
| F-7 | 20 | ||
| Su-25 | 14 | ||
| MiG-29 | 10 | ||
| F-6 | 8 | ||
| MiG-21 | 4 | ||
| MiG-23 | 3 | ||
| Su-24 | 3 | ||
| Helicopters | Mi-24/35 | 43 | |
| Mi-8/17/171 | 24 | ||
| Bell 212 | 3 | ||
| Bell 205 | 2 | ||
| Training | FTC-2000 | 6 | |
| K-8 | 5 | ||
| MiG-29 | 1 | ||
| Transport | An-12 | 10 | |
| An-30/32 | 8 | ||
| An-26 | 4 | ||
| C-130H | 1 | ||
| DHC-5 | 1 | ||
| Il-76 | 1 |