Every Emirati Military Aircraft — Complete List
United Arab Emirates has operated 73 distinct aircraft types across its military history — 36 still in active service, 4 on order or entering service and 33 retired or former.
Service status73 types
Fighters & Combat Aircraft
8 types
Mirage 2000
Status In service Service entry1983
F-16 Fighting Falcon
Status In service Service entry1979
Calidus B250
Status Entering Service entry2018
F-35 Lightning II
Status Entering Service entry2013
Rafale
Status Entering Service entry2001
Iomax Archangel
Status Retired Service entry2015
Air Tractor AT-802
Status Retired Service entry1991
Mirage III / 5 / 50
Status Retired Service entry1961Military Helicopters
18 types
505 Jet Ranger X
Status In service Service entry2017
AW139
Status In service Service entry2003
407
Status In service Service entry1996
H125M / AS550 Fennec
Status In service Service entry1990
AS565 Panther
Status In service Service entry1986
AH-64 Apache
Status In service Service entry1984
Bell 412
Status In service Service entry1981
UH-60 Black Hawk
Status In service Service entry1979
H215M / AS532 Cougar
Status In service Service entry1978
AW109
Status In service Service entry1976
CH-47 Chinook
Status In service Service entry1962
H225M / EC725 Caracal
Status Retired Service entry2005
Bell 214
Status Retired Service entry1972
SA340 Gazelle
Status Retired Service entry1971
MBB Bo 105
Status Retired Service entry1970
SA330 Puma
Status Retired Service entry1968
SA316 Alouette III
Status Retired Service entry1961
UH-1 Iroquois "Huey"
Status Retired Service entry1959Transport & Tanker Aircraft
19 types
Airbus A330 MRTT
Status In service Service entry2011
Quest Kodiak
Status In service Service entry2008
C-295 Persuader
Status In service Service entry2001
Pacific Aerospace P750
Status In service Service entry2001
BD-700 Global Express
Status In service Service entry1999
C-17 Globemaster III
Status In service Service entry1993
208 Caravan
Status In service Service entry1984
CL-600 Challenger
Status In service Service entry1980
DHC-6 Twin Otter
Status In service Service entry1966
C-130 Hercules
Status In service Service entry1956
CN-235
Status Retired Service entry1988
Boeing 767
Status Retired Service entry1982
G.222
Status Retired Service entry1978
Short 330
Status Retired Service entry1976
C-212 Aviocar
Status Retired Service entry1974
BN-2B Defender
Status Retired Service entry1965
DHC-5 Buffalo
Status Retired Service entry1965
Short Skyvan
Status Retired Service entry1963
PC-6 Porter
Status Retired Service entry1960Special Mission Aircraft
7 types
GlobalEye
Status In service Service entry2020
King Air 90
Status In service Service entry1964
AW609
Status Entering Service entry2020
Cirrus SR22
Status Retired Service entry2001
Saab 340 AEW&C
Status Retired Service entry1997
King Air 350
Status Retired Service entry1990
Boeing 707
Status Retired Service entry1958Trainers
10 types
JL-10
Status In service Service entry2013
Pilatus PC-21
Status In service Service entry2008
Grob G-115
Status In service Service entry1999
P180 Avanti
Status In service Service entry1990
DHC-8 Dash 8
Status In service Service entry1984
PC-7 Turbo Trainer
Status In service Service entry1978
Hawk
Status In service Service entry1976
MB-339
Status Retired Service entry1979
SIAI-Marchetti SF-260
Status Retired Service entry1966
MB-326K
Status Retired Service entry1962Unmanned Aircraft
11 types
Bayraktar TB2
Status In service Service entry2014
Wing Loong I
Status In service Service entry2011
MQ-1 Predator
Status In service Service entry1995Denel Seeker
Status In service Service entry1987
Bayraktar Akıncı
Status Retired Service entry2021
Wing Loong II
Status Retired Service entry2018CH-5 Rainbow
Status Retired Service entry2015Yabhon United 40
Status Retired Service entry2013
CH-4 Rainbow
Status Retired Service entry2011
S-100 Camcopter
Status Retired Service entry2010MQM-107 Streaker
Status Retired Service entry1984Other National Fleets
National fleets — aircraft in service by country
- 🇺🇸 United States · all-time
- 🇷🇺 Russia · all-time
- 🇨🇳 China · all-time
- 🇮🇳 India · all-time
- 🇰🇷 South Korea · all-time
- 🇯🇵 Japan · all-time
- 🇵🇰 Pakistan · all-time
- 🇰🇵 North Korea · all-time
- 🇪🇬 Egypt · all-time
- 🇹🇷 Turkey · all-time
- 🇫🇷 France · all-time
- 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia · all-time
- 🇮🇹 Italy · all-time
- 🇹🇼 Taiwan · all-time
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · all-time
- 🇮🇷 Iran · all-time
- 🇬🇷 Greece · all-time
- 🇩🇿 Algeria · all-time
- 🇩🇪 Germany · all-time
- 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates · all-time
- 🇮🇱 Israel · all-time
- 🇧🇷 Brazil · all-time
- 🇪🇸 Spain · all-time
- 🇮🇩 Indonesia · all-time
- 🇵🇱 Poland · all-time
- 🇮🇶 Iraq · all-time
- 🇦🇺 Australia · all-time
- 🇨🇦 Canada · all-time
- 🇺🇦 Ukraine · all-time
- 🇦🇷 Argentina · all-time
Frequently Asked Questions
How many aircraft types has the United Arab Emirates military ever operated?
United Arab Emirates has operated 73 distinct aircraft types across its history and current inventory, including 36 still in active service and 33 retired or former types.
Does this list include retired United Arab Emirates military aircraft?
Yes. This page covers every aircraft type the country has operated — past, present, and future — with a green In service, blue Entering service, or grey Retired status badge on each tile. For the current-only fleet, see the in-service listicle.
What about prototypes and test aircraft?
This page tracks operational service types. Pure prototypes, X-planes and test aircraft that never entered squadron service are not included.