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Roundel of Malawi air force
Air Forceยท ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ผ Malawi

Malawian Air Force

Air Wing of the Malawi Defence Force โ€” 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 โ€ฆ

Active aircraft
112026
Helicopters
8
Global Air Force Index
2.2/ 100
The score reflects a fleet of 0 combat aircraft, 8 helicopters and 3 transports out of 11 active airframes, weighted by combat effectiveness.
Fleet Composition โ€” 2026
  • Helicopter 8
  • Transport 3
Fleet Evolution
2020 โ€” 11 11 2020 2021 โ€” 7 7 2021 2022 โ€” 11 11 2022 2023 โ€” 12 12 2023 2024 โ€” 12 12 2024 2025 โ€” 10 10 2025 2026 โ€” 11 11 2026
Origin of Aircraft
Compare this Air Force
๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ผ Malawi vs

Full inventory in 2026

6 aircraft types

Malawi Defence Force Air Wing

Aircraft Origin Model year Active ฮ” YoY Ordered
Helicopter
H125M/AS350/550 ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท France 1990 2 โ€” โ€”
SA330 ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท France 1968 2 โ€” โ€”
SA341 ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท France 1971 2 โ€” โ€”
AS355 ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท France 1990 1 โ€” โ€”
AS532 ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Germany
๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท France
1978 1 +1 โ€”
Transport
MA600 ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡บ Ex-USSR 1969 2 +1 โ€”
Dornier 228 ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Germany 1982 1 -1 โ€”
ActiveOn order

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many aircraft does Malawi have?
Malawi Air Force operates 11 active military aircraft as of the current year. Additionally, 0 aircraft are currently on order.
How does Malawi's air force rank globally?
Malawi Air Force 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 Malawi have?
Malawi Air Force operates 8 military helicopters, including attack, transport, and utility rotorcraft used for various combat and support missions.
What is the Air Force Index of Malawi?
Malawi has an Air Force Index score of 2.2 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 Malawi get its military aircraft from?
Malawi sources its military aircraft primarily from France, Germany, and Ex-USSR. The fleet composition reflects both domestic production capabilities and international defense partnerships.
Various public data, including Wikipedia (CC BY-SA), Flightglobal.com and official government websites. Last updated on 24 July 2026. Suggest a change
Latest Data Updates
  1. JUL 242026 Updated SA330 relinked to the correct equipment page
  2. MAR 142026 Updated 7 aircraft types added