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Olugbemi. Adeyinka Ogunleye
6 days ago
Overview
Report Ranks African Nations Investing in Air Power
African militaries are working to expand and modernize their air fleets to project power across vast territories, stop threats from terror groups and respond to humanitarian crises. Several countries are acquiring used aircraft from other regions at discounted prices. According to AirPro News, this strategy accounts for about 75% of the continent’s fleet expansion.
Egypt has the continent’s highest military aircraft capacity, followed by Algeria and Angola. Cairo commands the world’s eighth-largest military aircraft fleet with 1,093 combat aircraft, while Algeria’s 608 military aircraft ranks 17th globally and Angola ranks 34th worldwide with 298 aircraft, the Global Firepower Index reported. Egypt recently expanded its fleet by 13 aircraft, Algeria by three and Angola by one.
“Air power is central to our ability to defeat violent extremist groups,” Maj. Gen. Abdul Khalifa Ibrahim, former force commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region, told the publication. The Egyptian Air Force’s (EAF) fighter fleet includes a mix of Lockheed Martin F-16s, as well as Dassault Rafales and MiG-29 fighter jets. The F-16 is the EAF’s primary frontline aircraft and is used for both air defense and ground attacks.
While Egypt has the most military aircraft on the continent, Algeria has the most MiG-29s. Since 2020, Algeria has worked to decommission its aging MiG-29 fleet, and reports emerged in 2024 that Algiers may transfer them to the Sudanese Air Force. The transfer aligns with Algeria’s plans to modernize its own fleet with new fighter jets, according to a report by bulgarianmilitary.com.
The National Air Force of Angola (FAN) primarily operates Su-27 and Su-30 fighter jets, as well as MiG-23 and MiG-21 fighter jets. In July 2024, Angola received the first of three C-295 tactical transport aircraft. These are used in transporting cargo and troops, paratroop missions, load dropping, and humanitarian missions. The other two aircraft will be delivered in a maritime patrol configuration. “This new capability represents a significant improvement in our logistics and emergency response,” a senior FAN official, speaking anonymously, told Army Recognition.
Morocco operates the continent’s fourth-largest and the world’s 37th-largest military aircraft fleet, with 260. The majority of Rabat’s fighter fleet are Lockheed Martin F-16s. In August 2020, the U.S. government confirmed that as part of a multibillion dollar purchase, Morocco would receive 24 F-16 Block 72 fighter jets. These are expected to be delivered between 2025 and 2027, according to AirPro News. Also known as the F-16V or Viper, these jets are used for air defense missions, air-to-ground and air-to-air combat, as well as deep interdiction and maritime interdiction missions. The aircraft can detect and track hard-to-find targets in all weather conditions.
With 182 military aircraft, South Africa operates the continent’s fifth-largest fleet and the world’s 50th-largest. The Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet is the standard aircraft used by the South African Air Force (SAAF). The SAAF also uses Denel Rooivalk attack helicopters and the Atlas Oryx, a medium-size utility helicopter, both of which are designed and built in South Africa.
According to the Global Firepower Index, the following countries round out the continent’s largest military aircraft fleets in descending order:
* Sudan with 165, including MiG-29s, and Su-25s and Su-24s, which are attack aircraft designed primarily for ground attack missions, not air-to-air combat.
* Nigeria with 163, including A-29 Super Tucanos and Alpha Jets, both of which are light attack and advanced training aircraft, and the M-346FA, a light combat aircraft and fighter jet.
* Kenya with 156, primarily the Northrop F-5E Tiger II fighter jet.
* Tunisia with 154, including the C-130 Hercules, Boeing 737-700 and Dassault Falcon 20 transport aircraft, the Northrop F-5E Tiger II fighter jet and the Aermacchi MB-326 attack aircraft.
* Libya with 143, including MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-29, Mirage F1 and Su-22 fighter jets, and the Su-24 attack aircraft.
Credit: ADF Magazine
