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Roundel of Djibouti air force
Air Forceยท ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ฏ Djibouti

Djibouti Air Force

The Djibouti Air Force operates 17 military aircraft in 2026 โ€” 10 helicopters, 7 transport aircraft. It ranks #114 of 162 air forces worldwide.

Active aircraft
172026
Helicopters
10
AIRS Index (Air Inventory Rating of Strength)
3.0/ 100
The score reflects a fleet of 0 combat aircraft, 10 helicopters and 7 transports out of 17 active airframes, weighted by combat effectiveness.
Fleet Composition โ€” 2026
  • Helicopter 10
  • Transport 7
Fleet Evolution
2020 โ€” 13 13 2020 2021 โ€” 12 12 2021 2022 โ€” 12 12 2022 2023 โ€” 13 13 2023 2024 โ€” 15 15 2024 2025 โ€” 17 17 2025 2026 โ€” 17 17 2026
Origin of Aircraft

Full inventory in 2026

8 aircraft types

Djibouti Air Force

Aircraft Origin Model year Active ฮ” YoY Ordered
Helicopter
AS565 ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท France 1986 4 โ€” โ€”
Mi-24 ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡บ Ex-USSR 1972 2 โ€” โ€”
Mi-8 ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡บ Ex-USSR 1967 2 โ€” โ€”
AS355 ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท France 1990 1 โ€” โ€”
Z-9 ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ China 1994 1 โ€” โ€”
Transport
Cessna 208 ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ United States 1984 3 โ€” โ€”
MA60 ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡บ Ex-USSR 1969 2 โ€” โ€”
Y-12 ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ China 1985 2 โ€” โ€”
ActiveOn order

Overview

The Djibouti Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Djibouti Armed Forces. Established in 1977 following Djibouti's independence from France, the air force primarily focuses on the defense of Djibouti's airspace. It operates mainly from the Ambouli International Airport, with a modest fleet consisting of transport aircraft and helicopters. The air force enhances Djibouti's national security capabilities by conducting aerial surveillance, reconnaissance, and transportation missions. Its fleet includes various aircraft models such as the Harbin Y-12, CASA C-212, Mil Mi-35, and Eurocopter AS532 Cougar. The air force has limited capabilities for air defense and provides support to ground forces during military operations, particularly in counter-terrorism efforts in the region. Additionally, it plays a vital role in facilitating humanitarian and disaster relief operations. Through its modest fleet and operations, the Djibouti Air Force contributes to the defense and stability of the country.

Various public data, including Wikipedia (CC BY-SA), Flightglobal.com and official government websites. Last updated on 24 July 2026. Suggest a change

Frequently Asked Questions

How many aircraft does Djibouti have?
Djibouti Air Force operates 17 active military aircraft as of the current year. Additionally, 0 aircraft are currently on order.
How does Djibouti's air force rank globally?
Djibouti Air Force ranks #114 out of 162 air forces worldwide based on the AIRS Index (Air Inventory Rating of Strength), which measures overall air power capability considering fleet size and combat effectiveness.
How many military helicopters does Djibouti have?
Djibouti Air Force operates 10 military helicopters, including attack, transport, and utility rotorcraft used for various combat and support missions.
What is the AIRS Index score of Djibouti?
Djibouti has an AIRS Index (Air Inventory Rating of Strength) score of 3.0 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 Djibouti get its military aircraft from?
Djibouti sources its military aircraft primarily from Ex-USSR, France, and China. The fleet composition reflects both domestic production capabilities and international defense partnerships.
Compare this Air Force
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Latest Data Updates
  1. JUL 242026 Updated AS565 fleet entry linked to its aircraft page
  2. MAR 142026 Updated 8 aircraft types added