Central African Republic Air Force

The Central African Republic Air Force (French: Force Aérienne Centrafricaine) is the aerial warfare branch of the Central African Republic Armed Forces. As of 2017 it has been a branch of the Ground Force.[1]

Central African Republic Air Force
Force Aérienne Centrafricaine
Central African Republic Air Force roundel
Founded1961
Country Central African Republic
BranchAir Force
RoleAerial warfare
Part ofCentral African Republic Armed Forces
Insignia
Fin flash

The Air Force is reported to be almost inactive due to the unserviceability of its aircraft. Dassault Mirage F1s of the French Air Force regularly patrol troubled regions of the country and also participate in direct confrontations.[2] According to some sources, former President François Bozizé used the money he got from the mining concession in Bakouma to buy two old Mil Mi-8 helicopters from Ukraine and one Lockheed C-130 Hercules, built in the 1950s, from the U.S.[3] The air force otherwise operates several light aircraft, including a single helicopter.

Aircraft

Current inventory
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Transport
Britten-Norman BN-2 United Kingdom transport 2[4]
Helicopters
Eurocopter AS350 France utility / liaison AS350B 1[4]

References

Notes
  1. Central African Republic - CIA World Factbook
  2. – Inter-agency Mission to Birao (CAR): 16 to 23 January 2007
  3. – Centrafrique : Bozizé ou la chronique d’une chute annoncée, 2004 Archived October 8, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  4. "World Air Forces 2020". Flightglobal Insight. 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2020.

Bibliography
  • Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International, Vol. 180 No. 5321, 13–19 December 2011. pp. 26–52.
  • World Aircraft Information Files. Brightstar Publishing, London. File 338 Sheet 02
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