Uzbekistan Air and Air Defence Forces
The Uzbekistan Air Force, formally known as the Air and Air Defense Forces of Uzbekistan, is the aerial warfare branch of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Established on January 19, 1992, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the air force inherited a majority of its equipment from the Soviet Air Force. The air force operates various aircraft types, including fighter jets, transport planes, helicopters, and reconnaissance aircraft. Its inventory includes legacy Soviet-built aircraft like the MiG-29, Su-25, and Su-27, as well as transport and utility helicopters such as the Mi-8. The primary role of the Uzbekistan Air Force is to defend the country's airspace and provide air support to ground units. It has participated in joint military exercises with other nations and has been involved in humanitarian operations. Over the years, the air force has undergone limited modernization efforts to upgrade its aging fleet and maintain operational readiness. Its focus remains on fulfilling its domestic defense requirements and ensuring the security of Uzbekistan's airspace.
Key facts
| Official Name | Uzbekistan Air and Air Defence Forces |
| Local Name | Ўзбекистон Республикаси Қуруқлик қўшинлари ҳаво кучлари (Oʻzbekiston Respublikasi Quruqlik qoʻshinlari havokuchlari) |
| Country | 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan |
| World rank | #49 |
| Active aircrafts | 197 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 5 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | 99 | |
| Combat aircrafts | 78 | |
| Transport | 13 | |
| Training | 7 | |
Aircrafts most used by Uzbek air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi-8 Hip | 40 | Soviet multipurpose helicopter, prevalent during the Cold War, extensively utilized for transport, combat and humanitarian operations globally. | |
| MiG-29 Fulcrum | 38 | Soviet twin-engine fighter jet, notable in late Cold War clashes, widely exported and integral to various aerial engagements globally. | |
| Mi-24 Hind | 33 | Soviet attack helicopter, renowned for Cold War use, predominantly deployed for airborne assault, close combat, and anti-armour roles. | |
| Su-27 Flanker | 25 | Soviet-originated multirole fighter, distinguished for deployments during the Cold War, globally utilized in air superiority missions. | |
| Su-25 Frogfoot | 20 | Soviet close air support aircraft, prominent during Afghan War, designed for ground targets engagement under heavy fire conditions. | |
| H215M / AS532 Cougar | 15 | French utility helicopter, notable for search and rescue missions, extensively utilized in military and civilian sectors since the 1970s. | |
| H125M / AS550 Fennec | 11 | French military variant helicopter, notable for service in Desert Storm and Afghanistan, widely employed for scouting and light attack roles. | |
| An-26 Curl | 4 | Soviet twin-engined transport aircraft, widely utilized in both civilian and military roles since the 1960s. | |
| C-295 Persuader | 4 | Spanish tactical military transport aircraft, utilized globally in maritime patrol, surveillance, and humanitarian relief missions since the late 20th century. | |
| Il-76 Candid | 3 | Soviet strategic airlifter, prominently deployed for both military transport and humanitarian aid operations since the Cold War era. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Uzbekistan Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | MiG-29 | ||
| Su-25 | |||
| Su-27 | |||
| Helicopters | Mi-8 | ||
| Mi-24/35 | |||
| H215M/AS532 | |||
| H125M/AS350/550 | |||
| Training | Su-27 | ||
| L-39 | |||
| Transport | An-26 | ||
| C295 | |||
| Il-76 | |||
| An-12 |