Air Force of El Salvador
The El Salvador Air Force, officially known as Fuerza Aérea de El Salvador (FAES), is the aerial branch of the armed forces of El Salvador. It was established on March 20, 1923, making it one of the oldest air forces in Central America. The primary mission of the Air Force is to defend the national sovereignty and integrity of El Salvador. The force possesses a fleet of aircraft that includes helicopters, transport planes, and trainer aircraft. The Air Force is also responsible for conducting search and rescue operations, supporting ground forces during times of conflict, and providing assistance in the event of natural disasters. Over the years, the Air Force has been involved in various peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, both domestically and internationally. It has undergone several equipment upgrades and training programs aimed at enhancing its operational capabilities. The El Salvador Air Force maintains close relationships with other regional and international air forces, often participating in joint exercises and training programs.
Key facts
| Official Name | Air Force of El Salvador |
| Local Name | Fuerza Aérea Salvadoreña |
| Country | 🇸🇻 El Salvador |
| World rank | #94 |
| Active aircrafts | 46 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 0 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | 28 | |
| Combat aircrafts | 13 | |
| Transport | 3 | |
| Training | 2 | |
Aircrafts most used by Salvadorian air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UH-1 Iroquois "Huey" | 17 | American utility helicopter, essential in the Vietnam War, extensively employed for medevac, transport, and combat operations. | |
| A-37 Dragonfly | 13 | Vietnam War-era American light attack aircraft, extensively deployed in close air support and counter-insurgency operations. | |
| MD-500 | 7 | American light helicopter, renowned during the Cold War era, predominantly deployed for law enforcement and utility applications. | |
| TH-55 Osage | 4 | American training helicopter, prominent during the Vietnam War, extensively utilized for instructional duties by the US Army. | |
| Arava | 3 | Israeli light transport aircraft, active during the late 20th century, widely deployed for cargo, troop, and paratroop transport. | |
| T-35 Pillan | 2 | Chilean trainer aircraft, popular in the late 20th century, extensively utilized for military pilot training worldwide. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Salvadoran Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | A-37 | 13 | |
| Helicopters | UH-1H | 14 | |
| MD500 | 7 | ||
| Hughes 269 | 4 | ||
| Bell 412 | 3 | ||
| Training | T-35 | 2 | |
| Transport | Arava | 3 |