Senegalese Air Force
The Senegal Air Force (SAF) is the military aviation branch of the Senegalese Armed Forces. Established in 1961 after gaining independence from France, the SAF operates under the command of the Senegalese Ministry of Defense. The primary mission of the SAF is to defend Senegal's airspace, safeguard national security, and support ground forces. The air force is equipped with a diverse fleet of aircraft, including fighter jets, transport planes, helicopters, and reconnaissance aircraft. Notable aircraft in its inventory include the Alpha Jet, which is utilized for close air support and training, and the Mi-24 attack helicopter. The SAF has participated in international peacekeeping missions, such as the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT). It also conducts humanitarian and search-and-rescue operations within Senegal's territorial boundaries. The SAF places a strong emphasis on training and modernization to enhance its operational capabilities. It maintains partnerships with various countries for military cooperation and technical assistance.
Key facts
| Official Name | Senegalese Air Force |
| Local Name | Armée de l'Air du Sénégal |
| Country | 🇸🇳 Senegal |
| World rank | #108 |
| Active aircrafts | 27 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 8 |
| Roundel |
|
Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | 13 | |
| Training | 10 | |
| Transport | 3 | |
| Special missions | 1 | |
| Combat aircrafts | 0 | |
Aircrafts most used by Senegalese air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| TB-30 Epsilon | 6 | French trainer aircraft from the 1980s, widely used by French, Greek, and Portuguese air forces for advanced pilot training. | |
| Mi-24 Hind | 5 | Soviet attack helicopter, renowned for Cold War use, predominantly deployed for airborne assault, close combat, and anti-armour roles. | |
| KT-1 Woongbi | 4 | South Korean trainer aircraft, noteworthy for domestic design and production, used primarily for flight training since the late 1990s. | |
| 206 JetRanger | 2 | American light helicopter, well known for civilian, military, emergency medical services, and offshore oil support roles since the 1960s. | |
| C-295 Persuader | 2 | Spanish tactical military transport aircraft, utilized globally in maritime patrol, surveillance, and humanitarian relief missions since the late 20th century. | |
| Mi-17 Hip-H | 2 | Soviet transport helicopter, prominently deployed during Afghan War, globally used for cargo, troop transport, and rescue missions. | |
| Mi-2 Hoplite | 2 | Soviet light utility helicopter, broadly deployed in Eastern Europe, renowned for agricultural, rescue and military tasks since the 1960s. | |
| CN-235 | 1 | Spanish-Indonesian transport aircraft, widespread use in the civil sector, military services, and humanitarian aid, developed during the late 20th century. | |
| F27 Friendship | 1 | Dutch passenger aircraft, utilized globally throughout the mid-to-late 20th century, notable for military and commercial operations. | |
| H125M / AS550 Fennec | 1 | French military variant helicopter, notable for service in Desert Storm and Afghanistan, widely employed for scouting and light attack roles. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Senegal Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | L-39NG | ||
| Helicopters | Mi-24/35 | ||
| Bell 206 | |||
| Mi-17 | |||
| Mi-2 | |||
| AS355 | |||
| SE3160 | |||
| Special missions | CN235 (MPA) | ||
| NC212 (MPA) | |||
| Training | TB30 | ||
| KT-1 | |||
| Transport | C295/CN235 | ||
| F27 |