Venezuelan Air Force
The Venezuelan Air Force, officially known as the Bolivarian National Air Force of Venezuela, is the aerial warfare branch of the Venezuelan Armed Forces. Established in 1920, it is one of the oldest air forces in Latin America. The Air Force operates a wide range of aircraft, including fighter jets, transport planes, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles. It has a diverse inventory of combat platforms, including Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighter aircraft and Chinese-made Hongdu K-8 jet trainers, among others. The Air Force is responsible for protecting Venezuelan airspace, conducting air sovereignty missions, and supporting national defense efforts. It has participated in various domestic and international operations, including humanitarian assistance missions and joint exercises with other nations. The Venezuelan Air Force has undergone periods of modernization, with steps taken to enhance its capabilities through acquisitions and training programs. As of recent available information, the Air Force has experienced challenges related to maintenance issues and shortages of spare parts.
Key facts
| Official Name | Venezuelan Air Force |
| Local Name | AviaciĆ³n Militar Nacional Bolivariana |
| Country | š»šŖ Venezuela |
| World rank | #38 |
| Active aircrafts | 258 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 14 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | 81 | |
| Training | 79 | |
| Transport | 50 | |
| Combat aircrafts | 44 | |
| Special missions | 3 | |
| Tankers | 1 | |
Aircrafts most used by Venezuelan air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi-17 Hip-H | 28 | Soviet transport helicopter, prominently deployed during Afghan War, globally used for cargo, troop transport, and rescue missions. | |
| JL-8 | 23 | Chinese jet trainer, developed in the late 20th century, regularly deployed for pilot training and light attack roles. | |
| Su-30 Flanker-C | 22 | Russian multirole fighter, renowned for deployments since the 1990s, widely used in diverse combat operations worldwide. | |
| F-16 Fighting Falcon | 20 | American multirole fighter, famed in late Cold War conflicts, renowned for performance in precision daytime strikes and defensive counter air operations. | |
| EMB 312 Tucano | 18 | Brazilian military trainer aircraft, utilized heavily in the 1980s, known for participation in the IranāIraq war. | |
| UH-1 Iroquois "Huey" | 17 | American utility helicopter, essential in the Vietnam War, extensively employed for medevac, transport, and combat operations. | |
| 480 | 12 | American light utility helicopter, notable for its efficiency in policing, surveillance, and training missions since the 1980s. | |
| SF-260 | 12 | Italian light military trainer, globally utilized since the 1960s, renowned for its aerobatic capabilities and air force service. | |
| An-28 Cash | 11 | Soviet light transport aircraft, widely deployed in civil and military roles during the Cold War era. | |
| H215M / AS532 Cougar | 10 | French utility helicopter, notable for search and rescue missions, extensively utilized in military and civilian sectors since the 1970s. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Venezuelan Army Aviation
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | Mi-17 | 16 | |
| Mi-35 | 10 | ||
| Bell 412 | 9 | ||
| Mi-26 | 3 | ||
| S-61/ASH-3D | 3 | ||
| Bell 206 | 2 | ||
| Transport | An-28/M28 | 11 | |
| Arava | 4 | ||
| King Air 200 | 1 |
Venezuelan Military Aviation
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | Su-30 | 22 | |
| F-16A | 16 | ||
| F-5A | 6 | ||
| Helicopters | Mi-28 | 10 | |
| H215M/AS332/532 | 10 | ||
| Mi-17 | 6 | ||
| Special missions | Merlin IV/Metro (EW) | 1 | |
| Tankers | 707 | 1 | |
| Training | K-8 | 23 | |
| EMB-312 | 18 | ||
| SF-260 | 12 | ||
| Enstrom 480 | 12 | 4 | |
| DA42 | 6 | ||
| F-16B | 4 | ||
| Enstrom 280 | 2 | ||
| Transport | Y-8 | 8 | |
| King Air 200/350 | 5 | ||
| Cessna 208 | 4 | ||
| C-130H | 3 | ||
| Dornier 228/NG | 3 | ||
| Short 360 | 2 | ||
| Citation II/SP | 1 | ||
| Merlin IV/Metro | 1 |
Venezuelan Naval Aviation
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | Bell 212/412 | 8 | |
| Z-9 | 8 | ||
| Mi-17 | 6 | ||
| Special missions | C212 (MPA) | 2 | |
| Training | Bell 206/TH-57A | 2 | |
| Transport | C212 | 3 | |
| King Air 90/200 | 2 | ||
| Cessna 208 | 1 | ||
| Turbo Commander | 1 |