Malawian Air Force
Key facts
| Official Name | Malawian Air Force |
| Local Name | Air Wing of the Malawi Defence Force |
| Country | ๐ฒ๐ผ Malawi |
| World rank | #126 |
| Active aircraft | 10 as of 2026 |
| Aircraft on order | 0 |
| Roundel |
|
Global Air Force Index
| ๐ฅ Strategic Bombers | 0 | Nuclear-capable strike aircraft (highest weight) |
| โ๏ธ Combat Aircraft | 0 | Fighters, multirole & attack aircraft |
| ๐ Helicopters | 7 | Attack, transport & utility rotorcraft |
| ๐ซ Transport | 3 | Strategic & tactical airlift |
| ๐ Total Active | 10 | 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 | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
7 | |
|
|
3 | |
Origin countries of aircraft
| Country | Active Aircraft | |
|---|---|---|
| ๐ซ๐ท France | 7 | |
| ๐ฉ๐ช Germany | 4 | |
| ๐จ๐ณ Ex-USSR | 1 | |
Evolution of Malawian Air Force fleet
Overview
The Malawi Air Force (MAF) is the air warfare branch of the Malawian Defense Force. It was established in 1976 and is responsible for carrying out air operations in support of national defense strategies. The MAF's fleet consists of various aircraft, including transport planes and helicopters, primarily used for logistics, air transport, and search and rescue operations. The force has also deployed aerial assets for humanitarian and peacekeeping missions. The MAF has worked on improving its capabilities through training programs and international cooperation agreements. It has collaborated with other regional air forces and undergone joint exercises to enhance its operational readiness. The MAF has a small number of aircraft and limited resources, and its main focus is on defending national airspace, supporting ground forces, and contributing to regional security efforts.
Full inventory in 2026
Malawi Defence Force Air Wing
| Aircraft Type | Model | Origin Country | Model Year | Active | ๐ซ YoY | Ordered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H125M/AS350/550 | ![]() |
๐ซ๐ท | 1990 | 2 | 0 |
0 |
||
| SA330 | ![]() |
๐ฉ๐ช ๐ซ๐ท | 1978 | 2 | 0 |
0 |
||
| SA341 | ![]() |
๐ซ๐ท | 1971 | 2 | 0 |
0 |
||
| AS355 | ![]() |
๐ซ๐ท | 1990 | 1 | 0 |
0 |
||
| Dornier 228 | ![]() |
๐ฉ๐ช | 1982 | 2 | -1 |
0 |
||
| MA600 | ![]() |
๐จ๐ณ | 1969 | 1 | 0 |
0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many aircraft does Malawi have?
How does Malawi's air force rank globally?
How many military helicopters does Malawi have?
What is the Air Force Index of Malawi?
Where does Malawi get its military aircraft from?
Last updated on 1 January 2025. Suggest a change





