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.
Central African Republic
- CIA World Factbook
The Air Force is reported to be almost inactive due to the unserviceability of its aircraft. Dassault Mirage F1
The Dassault Mirage F1 is a French fighter and attack aircraft designed and manufactured by Dassault Aviation. It was developed as a successor to the popular Mirage III family.
During the 1960s, Dassault commenced development of what would ...
s of the French Air Force regularly patrol troubled regions of the country and also participate in direct confrontations.[– Inter-agency Mission to Birao (CAR): 16 to 23 January 2007](_blank)
/ref> According to some sources, former President François Bozizé
François Bozizé Yangouvonda (born 14 October 1946) is a Central African politician who was President of the Central African Republic from 2003 to 2013.
Bozizé rose to become a high-ranking army officer in the 1970s, under the rule of Jean- ...
used the money he got from the mining concession in Bakouma
Bakouma is a sub-prefecture in the prefecture of Mbomou in Central African Republic. The area is known for its prosperity of mineral resources which have for a long time remained unexploited.
History
Bakouma was founded in September 1892 when t ...
to buy two old Mil Mi-8
The Mil Mi-8 (russian: Ми-8, NATO reporting name: Hip) is a medium twin-turbine helicopter, originally designed by the Soviet Union in the 1960s and introduced into the Soviet Air Force in 1968.
It is now produced by Russia.
In addition to ...
helicopters from Ukraine and one Lockheed C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin). Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally desig ...
, built in the 1950s, from the U.S.[– Centrafrique : Bozizé ou la chronique d’une chute annoncée, 2004](_blank)
The air force otherwise operates several light aircraft
A light aircraft is an aircraft that has a maximum gross takeoff weight of or less.Crane, Dale: ''Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms, third edition'', page 308. Aviation Supplies & Academics, 1997.
Light aircraft are used as utility aircraft co ...
, including a single helicopter.
Aircraft
Current inventory
References
Notes
Bibliography
* Hoyle, Craig. "World Air Forces Directory". ''Flight International
''Flight International'' is a monthly magazine focused on aerospace. Published in the United Kingdom and founded in 1909 as "A Journal devoted to the Interests, Practice, and Progress of Aerial Locomotion and Transport", it is the world's olde ...
'', Vol. 180 No. 5321, 13–19 December 2011. pp. 26–52.
*''World Aircraft Information Files. Brightstar Publishing, London. File 338 Sheet 02
External links
Photo of AS-350B Ecureuil TL-KAZ
{{Authority control
Military of the Central African Republic
Air forces by country
Military aviation in Africa