Lesotho Defence Force โ€“ Air Squadron

Key facts

Official Name Lesotho Defence Force โ€“ Air Squadron
Local Name Lesotho Defence Force Air Wing
Country๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡ธ Lesotho
World rank#130
Active aircraft9 as of 2026
Aircraft on order0
Roundel

Roundel of Lesotho air force

Global Air Force Index

2.1
Global Rank: #130 / 162
The Global Air Force Index measures Lesotho Defence Force โ€“ Air Squadron'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 6 Attack, transport & utility rotorcraft
๐Ÿ›ซ Transport 3 Strategic & tactical airlift
๐Ÿ“Š Total Active 9 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 6
Transport Transport 3

Origin countries of aircraft

Country Active Aircraft
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ United States 3
๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท France 3
๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ Spain 2
๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Australia 1

Evolution of Lesotho Air Force fleet

Overview

The Lesotho Air Force (LAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) and was established in 1982. As a relatively small force, the LAF's main objective is to provide national defense and support to ground forces. The Air Force operates a limited number of aircraft, including fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms, primarily for reconnaissance and transport missions. Its fleet consists of a few types of aircraft, such as the Pilatus PC-7 and the Cessna 182, which are used for training and light transport purposes. The LAF has a small number of helicopters, such as the Alouette III, used for troop transport and search and rescue operations. Throughout its history, the Lesotho Air Force has faced challenges related to limited resources and technological advancements when compared to other regional forces. Despite these limitations, the LAF remains committed to maintaining its operational capabilities and contributing to the overall defense of Lesotho.

Full inventory in 2026

Lesotho Defence Force

Frequently Asked Questions

How many aircraft does Lesotho have?
Lesotho Defence Force โ€“ Air Squadron operates 9 active military aircraft as of the current year. Additionally, 0 aircraft are currently on order.
How does Lesotho's air force rank globally?
Lesotho Defence Force โ€“ Air Squadron ranks #130 out of 162 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 Lesotho have?
Lesotho Defence Force โ€“ Air Squadron operates 6 military helicopters, including attack, transport, and utility rotorcraft used for various combat and support missions.
What is the Air Force Index of Lesotho?
Lesotho has an Air Force Index score of 2.1 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 Lesotho get its military aircraft from?
Lesotho sources its military aircraft primarily from United States, France, and Spain. 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