Nicaraguan Army Air Force

Key facts

Official Name Nicaraguan Army Air Force
Local Name Fuerza Aรฉrea de Nicaragua
Country๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฎ Nicaragua
World rank#127
Active aircraft17 as of 2026
Aircraft on order0
Roundel

Roundel of Nicaragua air force

Global Air Force Index

2.2
Global Rank: #127 / 162
The Global Air Force Index measures Nicaraguan Army Air Force'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 11 Attack, transport & utility rotorcraft
๐Ÿ›ซ Transport 4 Strategic & tactical airlift
๐Ÿ“Š 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
Helicopter Helicopter 11
Transport Transport 4
Other Special 1
Training Training 1

Origin countries of aircraft

Country Active Aircraft
๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ Ex-USSR 14
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ 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

Frequently Asked Questions

How many aircraft does Nicaragua have?
Nicaraguan Army Air Force operates 17 active military aircraft as of the current year. Additionally, 0 aircraft are currently on order.
How does Nicaragua's air force rank globally?
Nicaraguan Army Air Force ranks #127 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 Nicaragua have?
Nicaraguan Army Air Force operates 11 military helicopters, including attack, transport, and utility rotorcraft used for various combat and support missions.
What is the Air Force Index of Nicaragua?
Nicaragua 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 Nicaragua get its military aircraft from?
Nicaragua sources its military aircraft primarily from Ex-USSR and United States. 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