Burundian Air Force

Key facts

Official Name Burundian Air Force
Local Name Force Aรฉrienne du Burundi
Country๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฎ Burundi
World rank#146
Active aircraft12 as of 2026
Aircraft on order0
Roundel

Roundel of Burundi air force

Global Air Force Index

1.3
Global Rank: #146 / 161
The Global Air Force Index measures the Burundian Air Force's overall air power capability on a 0-100 scale, based on fleet composition and combat effectiveness.
๐Ÿ’ฅ Strategic Bombers 0 Nuclear-capable strike aircraft (highest weight)
โœˆ๏ธ Combat Aircraft 0 Fighters, multirole & attack aircraft
๐Ÿš Helicopters 12 Attack, transport & utility rotorcraft
๐Ÿ›ซ Transport 0 Strategic & tactical airlift
๐Ÿ“Š Total Active 12 All aircraft types

Methodology: Square root scaled index weighted by aircraft combat capability. Strategic bombers score highest due to nuclear strike capability.

Aircraft by type in 2026

Aircraft type Active
Helicopter Helicopter 12

Origin countries of aircraft

Country Active Aircraft
๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท France 9
๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ Ex-USSR 3

Evolution of Burundian Air Force fleet

Overview

The Burundi Air Force, formally known as the Force Aerienne du Burundi, is the aerial warfare branch of the armed forces of Burundi. Established in 1965, it operates under the authority of the President of Burundi and is responsible for defending Burundi's airspace and supporting military operations. The air force is relatively small, with a limited number of aircraft and personnel. As of 2021, it is primarily composed of a small fleet of transport and utility aircraft, including helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The air force's primary mission includes air transport, search and rescue operations, as well as providing support to ground forces. It has a history of participating in peacekeeping missions, particularly in Africa, displaying its limited regional capabilities. However, due to budgetary constraints, the air force has struggled to maintain and modernize its fleet, which has resulted in operational limitations.

Full inventory in 2026

Burundi National Army

Frequently Asked Questions

How many aircraft does Burundi have?
Burundi Air Force operates 12 active military aircraft as of the current year. Additionally, 0 aircraft are currently on order.
How does Burundi's air force rank globally?
Burundi Air Force ranks #146 out of 161 air forces worldwide based on the Global Air Force Index, which measures overall air power capability considering fleet size and combat effectiveness.
How many military helicopters does Burundi have?
Burundi Air Force operates 12 military helicopters, including attack, transport, and utility rotorcraft used for various combat and support missions.
What is the Air Force Index of Burundi?
Burundi has an Air Force Index score of 1.3 out of 100. This composite score measures overall air power capability, with strategic bombers weighted highest due to their nuclear strike potential, followed by combat aircraft, helicopters, and transport planes.
Where does Burundi get its military aircraft from?
Burundi sources its military aircraft primarily from France and Ex-USSR. The fleet composition reflects both domestic production capabilities and international defense partnerships.
Various public data, including Wikipedia, Flightglobal.com, SIPRI Arms Transfer and official government websites.
Last updated on 1 January 2025. Suggest a change