Tunisian Air Force

The Tunisia Air Force, officially known as the Tunisian Air Force (Al Quwwat al-Jawwiya at-Tunisiya), is the aerial warfare branch of the Armed Forces of Tunisia. It was established in 1959 following the country's independence from France. The Air Force operates under the command of the Tunisian Ministry of Defense and is primarily responsible for the defense of Tunisian airspace. Its primary objective is to provide combat readiness and support to ground forces when required. The Air Force operates a diverse fleet of aircraft, including fighter jets, multi-role combat aircraft, transport planes, and helicopters. The aircraft inventory includes types such as the F-5 Freedom Fighter, F-16 Fighting Falcon, C-130 Hercules, CN-235, and Bell UH-1 Huey. Additionally, the Air Force plays a crucial role in supporting domestic security operations, border surveillance, and search and rescue missions. Internationally, Tunisia Air Force has participated in peacekeeping missions and exercises with other nations, showcasing its commitment to regional stability and cooperation.

Key facts

Official Name	Tunisian Air Force
Local Name	القوات الجوية التونسية (Al Quwwāt al Jawwiya at Tūnisiya)
Country	🇹🇳 Tunisia
World rank	#56
Active aircrafts	156 (as of 2024)
Aircrafts on order	15
Roundel

Number of active aircrafts by type

Aircraft type	Active
Helicopters	101
Training	30
Combat aircrafts	11
Transport	10
Special missions	4

Aircrafts most used by Tunisian air forces

Aircraft	Active	Type
UH-1 Iroquois "Huey"	39	American utility helicopter, essential in the Vietnam War, extensively employed for medevac, transport, and combat operations.
206 JetRanger	18	American light helicopter, well known for civilian, military, emergency medical services, and offshore oil support roles since the 1960s.
SF-260	17	Italian light military trainer, globally utilized since the 1960s, renowned for its aerobatic capabilities and air force service.
SH-3 Sea King	15	American amphibious helicopter, enlisted for anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War, renowned for Apollo space missions recovery.
F-5E Tiger II	11	American fighter jet, used in the Cold War era, notable for its worldwide military deployments, including operation Desert Storm.
L-39 Albatros	9	Czech training jet, operational since the Cold War, deployed worldwide for various military aviation roles.
SA315 Alouette II	8	French light helicopter, renowned for its high-altitude service in the Himalayas during the 1960s and subsequent global deployments.
UH-60 Black Hawk	8	American utility helicopter, renowned for service in Iraq and Afghanistan, extensively employed for troop transport and medical evacuation.
SA316 Alouette III	7	French utility helicopter, popular in the Cold War-era, extensively utilized for search and rescue, and light transport roles.
H125M / AS550 Fennec	6	French military variant helicopter, notable for service in Desert Storm and Afghanistan, widely employed for scouting and light attack roles.

Full inventory in 2024