Nicaraguan Army Air Force
Key facts
| Official Name | Nicaraguan Army Air Force |
| Local Name | Fuerza Aรฉrea de Nicaragua |
| Country | ๐ณ๐ฎ Nicaragua |
| World rank | #127 |
| Active aircraft | 17 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 | 11 | Attack, transport & utility rotorcraft |
| ๐ซ Transport | 4 | Strategic & tactical airlift |
| ๐ Total Active | 17 | 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 | |
|---|---|---|
|
|
11 | |
|
|
4 | |
|
|
1 | |
|
|
1 | |
Origin countries of aircraft
| Country | Active Aircraft | |
|---|---|---|
| ๐จ๐ณ Ex-USSR | 14 | |
| ๐บ๐ธ United States | 3 | |
Evolution of Nicaraguan Air Force fleet
Overview
The Nicaragua Air Force, also known as the Fuerza Aรฉrea de Nicaragua (FAN), is the aerial branch of the Nicaraguan military. It was officially established on October 2, 1948. The FAN operates under the Ministry of Defense and is responsible for maintaining national security through aerial defense and surveillance missions. The air force primarily consists of various aircraft for different purposes, including combat, transport, and training. Its fleet includes Chinese-built K-8 Karakorum, Cessna A-37 Dragonfly, and Aermacchi SF.260 trainers. The FAN has a small but capable force, and its primary focus is on safeguarding Nicaragua's airspace from potential threats. It has also contributed to international peacekeeping missions as part of United Nations forces. The Nicaragua Air Force has gone through periods of modernization and equipment upgrades over the years, aiming to enhance its operational capabilities.
Full inventory in 2026
Nicaraguan Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Origin Country | Model Year | Active | ๐ซ YoY | Ordered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi-8/171 | ![]() |
๐จ๐ณ | 1967 | 10 | 0 |
0 |
||
| Bell 206 | ![]() |
๐บ๐ธ | 1967 | 1 | 0 |
0 |
||
| An-26 | ![]() |
๐จ๐ณ | 1969 | 4 | 0 |
0 |
||
| R44 | ![]() |
๐บ๐ธ | 1993 | 1 | 0 |
0 |
||
| King Air 90 | ![]() |
๐บ๐ธ | 1964 | 1 | 0 |
0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many aircraft does Nicaragua have?
How does Nicaragua's air force rank globally?
How many military helicopters does Nicaragua have?
What is the Air Force Index of Nicaragua?
Where does Nicaragua get its military aircraft from?
Last updated on 1 January 2025. Suggest a change





