Chadian Air Force
The Chad Air Force, officially known as the Armee de l'Air du Tchad or AAT, is the aerial warfare branch of the Chadian Armed Forces. It was established in 1961 following Chad's independence from France. Initially, the air force primarily relied on French support, and its fleet consisted of French-made aircraft such as the Fouga Magister and the Mirage III. Over the years, the Chad Air Force has experienced periods of conflict, mainly engaging in operations against rebel groups and participating in peacekeeping missions within Africa, notably during the conflicts in Libya, Sudan, and the Central African Republic. The air force has a limited number of aircraft, including Russian-made MiG-29s, Su-25 ground attack aircraft, and helicopters like the Mi-8 and SA 330 Puma. Training for pilots and maintenance personnel often takes place abroad, with support from countries such as France, Russia, and Sudan. The Chad Air Force has played a crucial role in bolstering Chad's national security and participating in regional peacekeeping efforts.
Key facts
| Official Name | Chadian Air Force |
| Local Name | القوات الجوية التشادية (Al Quwwāt al Jawwīyah al Tashādiyya) |
| Country | 🇹🇩 Chad |
| World rank | #104 |
| Active aircrafts | 34 (as of 2024) |
| Aircrafts on order | 0 |
| Roundel |
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Number of active aircrafts by type
| Aircraft type | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopters | 16 | |
| Transport | 6 | |
| Combat aircrafts | 6 | |
| Training | 4 | |
| Special missions | 2 | |
Aircrafts most used by Chadian air forces
| Aircraft | Active | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| H125M / AS550 Fennec | 6 | French military variant helicopter, notable for service in Desert Storm and Afghanistan, widely employed for scouting and light attack roles. | |
| Mi-8 Hip | 6 | Soviet multipurpose helicopter, prevalent during the Cold War, extensively utilized for transport, combat and humanitarian operations globally. | |
| Su-25 Frogfoot | 6 | Soviet close air support aircraft, prominent during Afghan War, designed for ground targets engagement under heavy fire conditions. | |
| An-26 Curl | 3 | Soviet twin-engined transport aircraft, widely utilized in both civilian and military roles since the 1960s. | |
| Mi-24 Hind | 3 | Soviet attack helicopter, renowned for Cold War use, predominantly deployed for airborne assault, close combat, and anti-armour roles. | |
| 208 Caravan | 2 | American utility aircraft, primarily deployed for passenger and cargo transportation, known for its operational history since the 1980s. | |
| G.222 | 2 | Italian tactical military transporter, produced during the Cold War, notably employed by NATO and UN peacekeeping missions. | |
| PC-7 Turbo Trainer | 2 | Swiss-made turbo trainer, distinguished by service in over 30 air forces, dating back to the late 1970s. | |
| C-130 Hercules | 1 | American military transport aircraft, known for significant roles in Vietnam War and Desert Storm, extensively used for various cargo missions. | |
| PC-9 | 1 | Swiss trainer aircraft, renowned for its use in aerobatics, globally employed for military flight training since the 1980s. | |
Full inventory in 2024
Chad Air Force
| Aircraft Type | Model | Active | Ordered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircrafts | Su-25 | 6 | |
| Helicopters | H125M/AS550 | 6 | |
| Mi-8/17/171 | 6 | ||
| Mi-24 | 3 | ||
| SE3160 | 1 | ||
| Special missions | Cessna 208 (Recce) | 2 | |
| Training | PC-7 | 2 | |
| PC-9 | 1 | ||
| SF-260 | 1 | ||
| Transport | An-26 | 3 | |
| C-27J | 2 | ||
| C-130H | 1 |