People’s Republic of Congo Air Force

People’s Republic of Congo Air Force
Founded 1970
Country  People's Republic of the Congo
Branch Air force
Role Aerial warfare
Part of Congolese Armed Forces
Insignia
Former roundel
Aircraft flown
Fighter Mig-21
Helicopter Mil Mi-35, Mil Mi-17
Transport An-26

The People’s Republic of Congo Air Force was the air force of Congo from 1970-1992

History

After achieving independence from France in 1960, the Congolese air force (Force Aerienne Congolaise) was started with equipment such as the Douglas C-47s, Broussards and Bell 47Gs, these were followed by Nord Noratlas tactical transports and Sud Alouette helicopter. In the 1970s the air force switched to Soviet equipment. This included five Ilyushin IL-14 and six turboprop Antonov An-24 transports and an An-26 in return for providing bases for Cuban MiG-17 operations over Angola. These fighters and a few MiG-15UTI combat trainers were transferred to the FAC. In 1990 these fighter were replaced by 16 USSR supplied MiG-21MF/bis Fishbeds plus a couple of MiG-21US trainers. Together with a Soviet training mission which stayed until late 1991, during that time there were numerous accidents that involved both Soviet and Congolese personnel. After the Soviets left there was only limited funding for MiG operations and they were withdrawn. Six Mi-8 helicopters were delivered from Ukraine in mid-1997 before the Cobra rebel takeover.

Former personnel and budge

A small, but adequate budget and personnel. Financial aid also came from the former USSR and some personnel were either Soviets or Cubans.

Political and combat role

Its role was as a Communist bastion in central Africa and to counter the politically unstable, pro-Western regime in Zaire,[1] (the then former name of the DRC). Its role is now one of countering cross-border smuggling operations, intermittent counterinsurgency actions in the northern provinces and successfully containing the crisis in the DRC along its border. Its first batch of aircraft, the MiG-15s and some of the MiG-17s, arrived in the early 1960s just after the Congo's independence from Franceand Zaire's independence from Belgium.

It was organised into fighter, counterinsurgency, transport and support wings.

Arms suppliers and personnel training

France, China and the Soviet Union supplied arms and aircraft. The Soviets and Cubans trained the air force as a whole, but France also trained some of its officers.

Aircraft

Inventory from 1960-1992

Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
MiG-21 Soviet Union fighter / interceptor 14[2] placed in storage[3]
MiG-17 Soviet Union fighter MiG-17F 8[2] placed in storage[3]
Transport
C-47 Dakota United States transport 2[2]
SN.601 Corvette France VIP 1[2]
N.2501F Noratlas France transport 2[2]
Ilyushin Il-14 Soviet Union transport 2[2]
An-24 Soviet Union transport 7[2]
An-26 Soviet Union transport 1[2]
Helicopters
Alouette II France liaison 2[2]
Alouette III France liaison 2[2]
AS365 Dauphin France VIP SA365C 1[2]
Mi-8 Soviet Union transport 1[2]
Trainer Aircraft
MiG-15 Soviet Union jet trainer MiG-15UTi 1[2] placed in storage[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Heart of Darkness: the Tragedy of the Congo, 1960-67". Worldatwar.net. Retrieved 2015-08-17.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "World Air Forces 1994 pg. 38". Flightglobal Insight. 1994. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "World Air Forces 2004 pg. 38". Flightglobal Insight. 1994. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
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