# Most Powerful Air Force in Africa

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2017/12/the-top-10-best-air-force-in-africa/
- Published: 2017-12-19T00:07:00+01:00
- Author: Ekene Lionel

[⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL
AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉[

The top 10 best Air Force in Africa in 2019 can be said to be that which has the
most capabilities in all spectrum of aerial warfare. The Air Force is the Aerial
Branch of a country’s military. Its role is to conduct air warfare, wrestle control
of the skies and achieve air supremacy in a bid to win a military engagement. The
Air Force conducts aerial operations which includes air interception, bombing raids,
aerial interdiction, patrolling the borders, attacking enemy air and ground troops
e.t.c.

Furthermore, the bulk of the Air Forces duties involves mostly “un-glamorous” but
highly essential duties like Transportation of troops and materials, aerial refueling,
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV, Drones) operations, Spying on the enemy, rescuing 
downed airmen and crews, artillery observations, early warning flights and many 
more…

The term “Air Force” may refer to a combination of various aircrafts and rotorcrafts
like bombers, fighter jets, helicopters, Trainers, Transport aircraft and others.

Although, some African Air Forces possess their own Surface to Air (SAM) missile
defence or Anti-Ballistic missiles and Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA) such as Egypt.
However, those are not considered a factor in ranking since accurate data on such
assets are usually difficult to access.

### Role of the Air Force

The primary role of the Air Force is to protect and defend the a nations territorial
integrity against threats both ‘FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC’. Unlike few African countries
like Egypt, Algeria, South Africa e.t.c the Air Force is usually relegated to support
roles: assisting the Army and Navy. The general role of most African Air Force are
listed below:

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 * **Ground support operations **
 * **Close Air Support**
 * **Reconnaissance**
 * **Intelligence and Surveillance (ISR) flights**
 * **Maritime & Border Patrol**
 * **Training and Indoctrination**
 * **Air Defense**
 * **Military Transport**
 * **Civil support**
 * **Search and Rescue**

#### AIR TO AIR BATTLES

Air to Air battles also known as Air Combat Maneuvering (ACM or Dogfighting) is 
the process of moving and turning tactically in the air to achieve a decisive advantage
over an opponent. There have been few air to air battle incidents in Africa. Most
African countries lack the combat experience in Dog-fighting.

Few actual air battles that has taken place in Africa includes:

 * Itallian Invasion of Egypt (Egypt vs Italy)
 * Second Battle of El Alamein (South Africa Vs Germany)
 * Operation Ironclad in Madagasca (SAAF VS Germany)
 * Border War (South Africa Vs Angola)
 * Toyota War (Libya vs Chad)
 * Boko Haram War (Nigeria Vs Chad)
 * Ethiopian-Somali War
 * Ethiopian-Eritrean War

> **South African Air Force has the notable distinction of dropping the first and
> last bomb in Africa during World War II.**

#### Manpower

The personnel involved in the smooth running of an Air Force are not just pilots
and airmen, there are also a significant number of people involved which supports
the Air Force and are relied upon. Such personnel include Maintenance, weapons loaders,
base defense, security, logistics, intelligence, Special Operations, Cyber Space
support, medicals and others.

What makes a good Air Force? There are necessary factors that an Air Force must 
possess to enable it fulfill its role, this factors would be used to rank the contenders.
The criteria used for ranking this list the of top 10 best Air Force in African 
2019 includes:

 1. **Combat experience**
 2. **Equipment**
 3. **Training**

Please note that all other aerial branches of the military which posses aerial platforms
such as Army Air Corps, Naval Aviation, Civil Aviation, Coast Guard Air Search and
Rescue, Health Service, Fire Service are not listed UNLESS THEY PARTAKE IN ACTUAL
COMBAT.

**Combat Experience:** This is the amount of time the Air Force has undertaking 
aerial actions against other enemy air units. Combat experience is highly important
for any military branch since military dexterity is usually measured through previous
battle achievements. Most professional airmen would tell you that real combat breeds
confidence. Combat experience which some call ‘baptism of fire’ builds trust among
airmen.

**The lessons learnt during actual aerial warfare (against foreign opponents) is
invaluable in combat operations.— African Military Blog**

**Equipment:** As the saying goes, ‘you are only as good as your weapon’. The primary
equipment of an Air Force is its fighter jets, bombers, UAVs and Helicopters. Although,
having superior fighter jets does not necessarily means superior Air Force rating,
since other factors determine victory in aerial warfare such as:

 * _**Presence of ground support systems like (Radar, Air Defence systems -ADS).**_
 * _**Electronic Warfare**_
 * _**Airbourne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C)**_

> **Training: If you train hard, you fight Easy. — Nigerian Army 72nd Army Special
> force Infantry.**

**Training:** is very important in a military. You cannot really fight  without 
training properly. Training enhances synergy between various units of Air Force.
It helps build troops moral and confidence. There are various type of training such
as Ab Initio, Basic, Advanced and Fast Jet training.

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**No 10) Ethiopian Air Force**[
 ⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL AIR FORCE IN AFRICA
TODAY.⌉

**
 
 The 1998 war with Eritrea provided enough combat experience to learn from 
for many years. However, Equipment serviceability is questionable and it’s troops
loyalty is usually in doubt. However, the Ethiopian Air Force makes the list the
top 10 best Air Force in African 2019.

Gugsa Wale’s Rebellion
 Second Italo-Abyssinian War Ethiopian Civil War Ethiopian-
Somali War Ethiopian-Eritrean War

**Aircraft: **80 aircraft

**Fighter/Attack 48 units:**
 Su-25 FrogFoot, MiG-21, MiG-23, Su-27

[⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL
AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉[

**Helicopter(s) 33 units:**
 Mil Mi-24 Hind, Mil Mi-8, Mil-Mi-6 **  Transport Aircraft:
34 units Trainer aircraft: 14 units Personnel: 3,000 Defense Budget (2012): $340,000,000(
0.8% GDP)

**No 9) Tunisian Air Force**

[⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL
AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉[

**
 
 A very proud force but quite small force in North African standard. However,
it’s aircraft fleet is focused more on air-defense. The Tunisian Air Force 148 aircraft
fleet puts it in the list the  top 10 best Air Force in African 2019.

**Engagements:**
 War on Terror

**Aircraft:** 148 aircraft

**Fighter/Attack- 30 units:**
 Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II, Aero L-59T Super Albatros

**Helicopter(s) 83 units:**
 – SA-341 10 – HH-3 10 – Agusta-Bell AB-205A 15 – AS-
350B 6 – AS-365 1 – SA-313 6 – SA-316 3 – UH-1H 29 – UH-1N 2 – Agusta-Bell AB-412
4

[⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL
AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉[

**Transport Aircraft: **89 units
 **Trainer aircraft:** 40 units **Personnel:** 
3,000 **Defense Budget (2012):** $746,000,000 (3.% GDP) SIPRI.org

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**No 8) Nigerian Air Force (NAF)**

[⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL
AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉[

**
 
 [The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is at its lowest posture in terms of air combat capability.](https://www.military.africa/2017/12/the-top-10-best-air-force-in-africa/military.africa/2018/06/air-supremacy-has-the-nigerian-air-force-lost-its-teeth)
Although, it does possesses certain critical skills in other tactical areas like
[drone operations](https://www.military.africa/2017/12/the-top-10-best-air-force-in-africa/military.africa/2017/09/the-three-deadliest-drone-powers-in-africa)
and airmen welfare. The Dassault Alpha jet trainers configured for combat are currently
it’s workhorse. [Some new aircraft are expected to arrive soon.](https://www.military.africa/2017/12/the-top-10-best-air-force-in-africa/military.africa/2016/09/nigeria-to-buy-jf-17-thunder-fighter-aircraft-and-super-mushak-from-pakistan)

The NAFs focus on various non-combat aspect makes the list the  top 10 best Air 
Force in African 2019.

**STRENGTHS**

 * High troops moral
 * Excellent ground attack experience
 * Airmen welfare

**WEAKNESSES**

 * Lack of capable modern fighters
 * Little or no sound policy making
 * Insufficient attack helicopter fleet

**Engagements:**
 Nigerian Civil War Liberian Civil War Sierra Leone Civil War Niger
Delta conflict Invasion of the Gambia Northern Mali War Boko Haram War **  Total
Aircraft: 110 aircraft

**Fighter/Attack 31** units:
 Dassault Alpha Jet, Aero L-39, CH-3 UCAV, Chengdu 
F-7

[⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL
AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉[

**Helicopter(s) 39 units:**
 Mil Mi-24/35 Hind, Mil Mi-17sh, Agusta Westland AS 
332, AW 101, AW 139, AW 109 **Transport Aircraft:** 53 units **Trainer aircraft:**
40 units **Personnel:** 25,000 **Defense Budget (2012):** $2,100,000,000 (1% GDP)
SIPRI.org

**No 7) Ugandan Air Force**

[⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL
AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉[

**
 
 It’s ambitious aircraft acquisitions in recent years has engraved it’s name
as one of the most powerful Air Force in Africa. However, Aircraft availability 
and sufficiency remains a problem. However, the Ugandan Air Force still makes the
list the  top 10 best Air Force in African 2019.

**Engagements:**
 South Sudan War I & II Various Peace-Keeping operations (e.g AMISOM)
Somalian Civil War Operation Desert Storm Ugandan-Tanzania War Operation Entebbe(
Israeli attack) Ugandan Bush War Six-Day War (Uganda Vs Rwanda)

**Total Aircraft:** 53 units

**Fighter/Attack 23** units:
 MiG-21, Sukhoi Su-30

[⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL
AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉[

**Helicopter(s) 21 units:**
 Bell 206, Huey II, Mil Mi-24, Mil Mi-17 **Transport
Aircraft**: 52 units **Trainer Aircraft:** 10 units **Personnel:** 50,000 **Defense
Budget (2012):** $250,600,000 (1.3% GDP)

**No 6) Angolan Air Force (FANA)**

[⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL
AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉[

**
 
 With Soviet and Cuban help, this Air Force has gone through brutal war which
has hardened it’s stance. It’s aircraft fleets is currently the envy of many countries
in Africa. It is a direct competitor to South African Air Force and constantly challenges
its dominance.

**Engagements:**
 Angolan Civil War Congo Crises

[⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉⌊THE BEST AND MOST POWERFUL
AIR FORCE IN AFRICA TODAY.⌉[

**Total Aircraft: **285-348 units:
 **  Fighter/Attack 138 units: Sukhoi Su-30k,
Su-27, Su-22, Mikoyan MiG-23, MiG-21

**Helicopter(s)** 118 units:
 Agusta Westland AW 139, AW 109, Aerospatiale Gazelle,
Mil Mi-24 Hind, Mi-8, Bell 212, Aloutte III **Transport Aircraft: **128 units **
Trainer Aircraft:** 48 units **Personnel: **– **Defense Budget (2012):** $3,827,000,000(
3.5% GDP)

**No 5) Sudanese Air Force**

[⌊The Top best and most powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉⌊The Top best and most
powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉[

**
 
[Linked to several high-profile defence acquisition deals](https://www.military.africa/2017/12/the-top-10-best-air-force-in-africa/military.africa/2017/11/sudanese-air-force-acquires-sukhoi-su-35-super-flanker),
the Sudanese Air Force is truly a force to reckon with in Africa. It possesses modern
fighter jets. Although, its quite secretive in it’s aerial operations despite that,
the Sudanese Air Force still makes the list the  top 10 best Air Force in African
2019.
   Engagements: Darfar War War in Yemen Sudanese Civil War (First and Second)
Heglig Crises

**Total Aircraft: **246 units

**Fighter/Attack **138 units:
 Mikoyan MiG-23, MiG-21, MiG-29, Sukhoi Su-35, Su-
25, Su-24, Nanchang Q-5, Chengdu J-7, Shenyang J-5, Hongdu JL-9

[⌊The Top best and most powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉⌊The Top best and most
powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉[

**
 
 Helicopter(s) 108 units:
 Mil Mi-24, Mil Mi-8, IAR 330, PZL MI-2, Bell 212,
Bell UH-1 Transport Aircraft: 52 units Trainer Aircraft: 12 units Personnel: – Defense
Budget: –   No 4) Royal Moroccan Air Force

[⌊The Top best and most powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉⌊The Top best and most
powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉[

**
 
 The Moroccan Air Force is focused on Aerial Defense and it’s F-16s are configured
for long range attacks. It’s numerous Military Exercises (MilEx) with major countries
like U.S.A, France and U.A.E provides valuable realistic combat training to imprint
its name in the list the  top 10 best Air Force in African 2019.

**Engagements:**
 Sand War Six-Day War Yom Kippur War Western Sahara War Anti-ISIS
war War in Yemen

**Total Aircraft:** 278 units

**Fighter/Attack** 96 units:
 Lockheed Martins F-16, Dassault Mirage F-1, Dassault
Alpha Jet, F-5 Tiger **  Electronic Warfare: Dassault Falcon 20

[⌊The Top best and most powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉⌊The Top best and most
powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉[

**Helicopter(s)** 128 units:
 Aerospatial SA 342 Gazelle, Aerospatial SA 330 Puma,
Bell AB 205, Boeing CH-47 Chinook **  Transport Aircraft: 158 units Trainer Aircraft:
80 units Personnel: 13,500 Defense Budget (2012): $3,582,000,000 (3.5% GDP)

**No 3) South African Air Force**

[⌊The Top best and most powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉⌊The Top best and most
powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉[

**
 
 The South African Air Force (SAAF) is centered around it’s SAAB JAS 39 Gripen
multirole fighter jets which is the workhorse of the fleet. South Africa has the
unique distinction of being one of the oldest Air Force in Africa. [The country produces most of it’s weapons.](https://www.military.africa/2017/12/the-top-10-best-air-force-in-africa/military.africa/2017/11/here-are-some-of-south-african-made-weapons)
No doubt, the SAAF makes the list the  top 10 best Air Force in African 2019.

**STRENGTH**

 * Excellent fighter training
 * Combat experience
 * Electronic Warfare

**WEAKNESSES**

 * Little Government support
 * Pilot shortages
 * Massive defense budget cuts

**Engagements:**
 World War I World War II Korean War Rhodesian Bush War Mozambican
Civil War South African Border War Operation Boleas Battle of Bangui M23 Rebellion
ADF Insurgency

**Total Aircraft:** 226 units

**Fighter/Attack** 47 units:
 SAAB JAS 39 Gripen, BAE Hawk

**Electronic Warfare:**
 Oryx EW, C-47TP ELINT

**Helicopter(s**) 95 units:
 Rooivalk, Oryx, Agusta A109, Lynx 300

**CLICK TO [READ ABOUT: Rooivalk ](https://www.military.africa/2017/12/the-top-10-best-air-force-in-africa/military.africa/2018/01/denel-rooivalk-africas-indigenous-attack-helicopter)**

[⌊The Top best and most powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉⌊The Top best and most
powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉[

**Transport Aircraft:** 109 units
 **Trainer Aircraft:** 88 units **Personnel: **
11,000 Active Servicemen, 1,000 Reserve **Defense Budget (2012):** $4,785,000,000(
1.1% GDP)

**No 2) Algerian Air Force**

[⌊The Top best and most powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉⌊The Top best and most
powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉[

**
 
 [The Algerian Air Force is modernizing it’s fleet at an aggressive pace.](https://www.military.africa/2017/12/the-top-10-best-air-force-in-africa/military.africa/2016/04/algerian-military-to-buy-russian-su-34-fullback-fighter-bomber)
It has over the years acquired numerous capable fighters and Surface-to-Air Missiles
systems to fully secure it’s skies, making it one of the  top 10 best Air Force 
in African 2019.

**STRENGTHS**
 Modern aerial platforms High defense budget High aircraft maintenance
ratio

**WEAKNESSES**
 Low combat experience

**Engagements:**
 Algerian War FFS Rebellion Sand War October War Western Sahara
War Algerian Civil War Insurgency in the Maghreb

[⌊The Top best and most powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉⌊The Top best and most
powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉[

**Total Aircraft**: 502 units

**Fighter/Attack **187 units:
 Sukhoi Su-24, MiG-29, Su-30, Mikoyan MiG-25, Yak-
130

**Helicopter(s)** 257 units:
 Mil Mi-24 Hind, Mi-28 Havoc, Bell 412, PZL Mi-2, Mil
Mi-8, Mil Mi-26, Kamov Ka-27, Eurocopter AS355, Agusta Westland AS355, AW139

**Transport Aircraft**: 266 units
 **Trainer Aircraft**: 68 units **Personnel:**
14,000 **Defense Budget (2012)**: $9,104,000,000 (4.5% GDP)

**No 1) Egypt Air Force**

[⌊The Top best and most powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉⌊The Top best and most
powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉[

**
 
 The Egyptian Air Force is  the best and most powerful Air Force in Africa.
It is very large in African standard, [having more aircraft than the next four (4) Air Forces combined.](https://www.military.africa/2017/12/the-top-10-best-air-force-in-africa/military.africa/2017/12/egyptian-air-force-receives-three-more-dassault-rafale)
The EAF is undoubtably the best Air Force in African 2019.

**STRENGTHS**
 Quality fighter jets Sufficient numbers of aircraft Combat experience**
WEAKNESSES Mismatched aircraft fleet Outdated fighter jets in service

**Engagements:**
 1948 Arab-Israeli War Suez Crises North Yemen Civil War Six-Day
War Nigerian Civil War War of Attrition Yom Kippur War Shaba I Libyan-Egyptian War
Sinai Insurgency Second Libyan Civil War Yemen War

**Total Aircraft:** 1,200 units

**Fighter/Attack** 764 units:

[⌊The Top best and most powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉⌊The Top best and most
powerful Air Force in Africa today⌉[

Lockheed Martins F-16, Dassault Rafale, Alpha Jet, Aero L-59, Aero L-39, Mirage 
2000, Mirage 5, Chengdu F-7, Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21, F-4 Phantom, CAIG Wing Loong
UCAV, CH-4B

**Electronic Warfare & AEW&C:**
 E-2HE2K, Beechcraft 1900, C-130, Commando MK.2E,
Mil Mi-8, CAIG Wing Loong, CH-4B

**Helicopter(s)** 257 units:
 AH-64 Apache, Mil Mi-28 Havoc, Aerospatial Gazelle
SA-342, Kamov Ka-50, Boeing CH-47 Chinook, SH-2G Super SeaSprite, Sikorsky UH-60,
Westland SeaKing, AgustaWestland AW109, AW139

**Transport Aircraft:** 266 units
 **Trainer Aircraft:** 384 units **Personnel:**
50,000 (30,000 Active Servicemen, 20,000 Reserve) **Defense Budget (2014):** $4.4
billion (3% GDP) plus $1.2 Billion US defence assistance

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