The Suriname Air Force is the aviation branch of the military of Suriname, a country located on the northeastern coast of South America. Established in 1982, the Suriname Air Force operates under the command of the Suriname Defense Force. The main role of the Suriname Air Force is to defend the airspace of Suriname and support national security efforts. The Air Force primarily operates light aircraft, helicopters, and transport aircraft. The fleet includes aircraft such as the Cessna 182 and 206, as well as the Mil Mi-17 helicopter. Additionally, the Suriname Air Force has a small number of transport aircraft, including the Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander and the Antonov An-28. These aircraft are used for various missions, including surveillance, transport of personnel and supplies, and search and rescue operations. The Suriname Air Force has also participated in joint military exercises with other countries in the region, contributing to regional security efforts.
Compiled from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA), official air force and government publications and dated press reports; the update journal below lists the sources of each pass.
Last updated on 14 March 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many aircraft does Suriname have?
Suriname Air Force operates 3 active military aircraft as of the current year. Additionally, 0 aircraft are currently on order.
How does Suriname's air force rank globally?
Suriname Air Force ranks #160 out of 162 air forces worldwide based on the AIRS Index (Air Inventory Rating of Strength), which measures overall air power capability considering fleet size and combat effectiveness.
How many military helicopters does Suriname have?
Suriname Air Force operates 3 military helicopters, including attack, transport, and utility rotorcraft used for various combat and support missions.
What is the AIRS Index score of Suriname?
Suriname has an AIRS Index (Air Inventory Rating of Strength) score of 0.4 out of 100. This composite score weights every active airframe by category and by generation tier (strategic bombers highest, then combat aircraft, helicopters and transports), scales the combat fleet by its enablers โ tankers and airborne early warning โ and its stand-off armament, and applies a budget-based availability proxy to the whole force.
Where does Suriname get its military aircraft from?
Suriname sources its military aircraft primarily from France. The fleet composition reflects both domestic production capabilities and international defense partnerships.
