Kenya Air Force
Key facts
Official Name | Kenya Air Force |
Country | ๐ฐ๐ช Kenya |
World rank | #57 |
Active aircrafts | 154 as of 2025 |
Aircrafts on order | 2 |
Roundel |
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Overview
The Kenya Air Force (KAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the Kenya Defence Forces. It was established in 1964, shortly after Kenya gained independence from British colonial rule. The primary mission of the KAF is to defend Kenyan airspace and support ground forces in operations by providing air support, transport, and reconnaissance. The KAF operates a fleet of various aircraft, including fighter jets, transport planes, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Notable aircraft used by the KAF include F-5 Tiger II and F-CK-1 Ching-kuo fighter jets, C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, and various models of helicopters such as the MD 500, Bell 206, and AugustaWestland AW139. The KAF has participated in regional and international peacekeeping missions. It has also played a crucial role in providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations within Kenya and the region. The KAF continues to train and modernize its fleet to enhance its operational capabilities and maintain readiness for any potential threats to national security.
Origin countries of aircrafts
Country | Active Aircraft | |
---|---|---|
๐บ๐ธ United States | 79 | |
๐ฉ๐ช Germany | 27 | |
๐ซ๐ท France | 21 | |
๐จ๐ณ China | 16 | |
๐ง๐ท Brazil | 11 | |
๐ฎ๐น Italy | 6 | |
๐บ๐ฆ Ukraine | 3 | |
๐ฌ๐ง United Kingdom | 3 | |
๐จ๐ฆ Canada | 3 | |
๐จ๐ณ Ex-USSR | 1 |
Evolution of Kenyan Air Force fleet
Aircrafts by type in 2025
Aircraft type | Active | |
---|---|---|
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85 | |
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28 | |
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25 | |
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16 |
Full inventory in 2025
Kenya Air Force
Aircraft Type | Model | Origin Country | Model Year | Active | ๐ซ YoY | Ordered | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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F-5E | ๐บ๐ธ | 1976 | 17 | 0 |
0 |
|
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F-5F | ๐บ๐ธ | 1965 | 6 | 0 |
0 |
|
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Cessna 208 | ๐บ๐ธ | 1984 | 2 | 0 |
0 |
|
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MD500/530F | ๐บ๐ธ | 1967 | 45 | 0 |
0 |
|
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SA330 | ๐ฉ๐ช ๐ซ๐ท | 1978 | 13 | 0 |
0 |
|
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H125M/AS550 | ๐ซ๐ท | 1990 | 8 | -1 |
0 |
|
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UH-1H | ๐บ๐ธ | 1959 | 7 | 0 |
0 |
|
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Z-9 | ๐จ๐ณ | 1994 | 6 | 0 |
0 |
|
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AW139 | ๐ฌ๐ง ๐ฎ๐น | 2003 | 3 | 0 |
0 |
|
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AH-1F | ๐บ๐ธ | 1967 | 2 | 0 |
0 |
|
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Mi-171 | ๐จ๐ณ | 1977 | 1 | -1 |
0 |
|
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Y-12 | ๐จ๐ณ | 1985 | 10 | 0 |
0 |
|
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C-27J | ๐ฎ๐น | 1978 | 3 | 0 |
0 |
|
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M28 | ๐บ๐ฆ | 1986 | 3 | +3 |
0 |
|
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Tucano T51 | ๐ง๐ท | 1983 | 11 | 0 |
0 |
|
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G120TP | ๐ฉ๐ช | 1999 | 9 | 0 |
2 |
|
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G120A | ๐ฉ๐ช | 1999 | 5 | 0 |
0 |
|
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Dash 8 | ๐จ๐ฆ | 1984 | 3 | 0 |
0 |