Jump to content

Algerian Air Force

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by BilletsMauves (talk | contribs) at 18:44, 29 November 2022 (rv unsourced changes). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Algerian Air Force
  • القُوَّاتُ الجَوِّيَّةُ الجَزَائِرِيَّةُ
  • Forces aériennes algériennes
Badge of the Algerian Air Force
Founded1962; 62 years ago (1962)
Country Algeria
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Size14,000[1]
147 combat capable aircraft
Part ofAlgerian People's National Army
Websitewww.mdn.dz/site_cfa/accueil_an.php
Commanders
Current
commander		Major General Mahmoud Laraba[2]
Insignia
Roundel
Aircraft flown
AttackSu-24
FighterMiG-29, Su-30
HelicopterMi-24, Mi-28
PatrolFokker F27, King Air
ReconnaissanceSu-24, UAV Seeker, B-1900D HISAR
TrainerZ 142, T-34C, L-39, Yak-130
TransportC-130, Il-76, C-295 , ATR-72

The Algerian Air Force (AAF) (Arabic: القُوَّاتُ الجَوِّيَّةُ الجَزَائِرِيَّةُ, romanized: al-Quwwāt al-Ǧawwiyyah al-Ǧazāʾiriyyah, French: Forces aériennes algériennes) is the aerial arm of the Algerian People's National Army.

History

The Algerian Air Force was created to support the fight of the People's National Army against the French occupying forces. It came as part of the decisions of the Soummam congress held on August 20, 1956, which recommended a long-term plan to form a modern army.[3]

Before 1962

In 1957, six Algerians were sent for training to the Syrian Arab Air Force flight school at Nayrab near Aleppo. During this period, training also took place with the Egyptian and Iraqi air forces, as well as in the USSR and in China.[4][3] During this period, the French army started the Challe and Morice lines used to isolate the ALN fighters inside the country and to stop supplies coming from Tunisia and Morocco. Then came the idea to train transport and helicopter pilots to ensure supplying the national liberation army, and to prepare the first core of the military aviation.[3] The Algerian Air Force was officially established on 4 February 1959, as a part of the FLN.[4]

From 1962 to 1970

The Algerian Air Force was originally based at Maison Blanche (White House). In 1962, Egypt transferred 12 Helwan Gomhouria trainers and five MiG-15s (two MiG-15UTIs and three MiG-15bis), together with a group of advisors to help with training. Several Mil Mi-4s were also received from the Soviet Union.[5] Two Beech D.185S light transports purchased for the personal use of then President Ben Bella in 1963.[6]

Training was one of the major preoccupations of the ALN/FLN leaders. Military aviation had a core of pilots and technicians after independence, who laid the foundations of the present Air Force. The Algerian authorities sent trainees to friendly countries such Egypt, Syria, Iraq, China, and the USSR, while waiting for the creation of Algerian Air Force schools. In 1966, the Air Base of Tafraoui in the 2nd Military Region was built as an air officers' school (EOA) where the first officer students were received to train as pilots and technicians in aeronautics.[3]

The nascent Algerian Air Force participated in the 1963 Sand War with Morocco. However, air power did not play a big role during the war. MiG-15s and Mi-4s were used, and aircraft from national company Air Algérie served for transport duties.[7] Following the end of the war, the build-up of the Algerian Air Force was intensified.[8] In 1964, 20 additional MiG-15bis fighters were delivered by the USSR. The next year, the first of at least 30 MiG-17s arrived in Algeria.[9] In 1965-1966, 24 MiG-21F-13s were received, and 14 Ilyushin Il-28s were ordered in the same period, as well as some MiG-21FLs. Despite its growth, at the time of the Six-Day War the Algerian Air Force was not deemed combat ready. Still, 20 MiG-17Fs, 20 MiG-21s and 12 Il-28s were sent to Egypt, but without any crews.[10] In 1967, the Algerian Air Force also bought its first surface-to-air missile systems, with two battalions of S-75 Dvinas. However, these were never put into service.[11]

From 1970 to 1980

C-130H Hercules

In the late 1960s, thanks to increased oil prices and to Algeria's economic growth, important arms orders were passed with the USSR. Hence, in the early 1970s, the Algerian Air Force received 52 MiG-21MFs, MiG-21Rs and MiG-21UMs, and 40 Sukhoi Su-7BMKs. During the same period, 28 second-hand Fouga CM.170 Magisters were bought to West Germany, as well as some Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma and Mil Mi-6 helicopters.[12]

Thanks to its growth in the previous years, the Algerian Air Force was able to participate directly in the 1973 October War. Two squadrons of MiG-21s, another of Su-7s and a unit comprising 23 MiG-17s were sent to Egypt. This deployment was supported by Antonov An-12 transports. Some Algerian pilots were also assigned to Egyptian Air Force MiG-17 squadrons. In total, around 500 combat sorties were flown by Algerian pilots. One MiG-21 and one Su-7 were shot down, but no pilot was killed or captured.[13]

In 1975, another big arms deal was passed with Moscow, including 40 MiG-23BNs, 47 MiG-21bis, and 16 Mil Mi-8s. The first MiG-23BNs arrived in 1976; this type replaced the Su-7BMKs. Another arms order followed in 1978, with the Algerians requesting the delivery of 40 more MiG-21s, 16 MiG-23MFs, 20 Mil Mi-24s, and 12 S-125 Pechora missile systems. However, while 20 MiG-25s were delivered by 1979, negotiations for the remainder of the package proved much more difficult than expected, and took nearly four years. Limited quantities of Western aircraft were bought too: in 1978, six T-34C Mentors and three Fokker F27s were acquired.[14][11]

From 1980 to 2000

File:Su24123.FKF.jpg
Algerian Su-24MK armed with a Kh-29L air-to-surface missile

In 1981, thanks to the deliveries of air defence equipment, a new branch of the air force was created: the Défense Aérienne du Territoire (Territorial Air Defence). Through the 1980s, the Algerian Air Force worked to build a fully integrated network of early warning radars. In 1986-1988, the Territorial Air Defence was expanded and reorganised into the Commandement de la Défense Aérienne du Territoire (Territorial Air Defence Command). In 1988, this command became a fully independent branch of the Algerian armed forces.[15]

The resulting organisational structure of the air force was as follows:[3]

  • A central command assisted by a general staff and an inspectorate, an arms division, a department of support, and specialized offices
  • Air commands in the military regions
  • Air bases, schools, training centers, support institutions, equipment renovation enterprises & defense, and control units

In the second half of the 1980s, the Algerian Air Force also introduced the wing structure.[16] During this period few changes occurred in the combat aircraft inventory of the Algerian Air Force. Ten Sukhoi Su-24MKs were received from the USSR, while the MiG-17F was phased out. A new airplane supplier emerged just after the Iranian revolution when Algeria received 18 C-130H Hercules and 12 Hawker Beechcrafts supplied by USA from 1981 to 1989.[citation needed]

Starting in the second half of the 1980s, the Algerian Air Force saw combat in the Algerian Civil War.[17]

Since 2000

A Sukhoi Su-30MKA

As the Civil War was winding down, the Algerian Air Force began to replace its older combat aircraft. The last MiG-21s were withdrawn from service in 2002. The MiG-23BNs followed in 2005, as did the MiG-23MFs in 2008.[18] The Air Force purchased a large number of Mikoyan MiG-29s (index 9.13) from Belarus and Ukraine from 1999 to 2003. At least 25 Su-24MKs were also acquired during the same period.[citation needed] In March 2006, as part of a bigger arms deal, Algeria ordered 28 Sukhoi Su-30MKAs, 16 Yakovlev Yak-130s, 28 MiG-29SMTs and six MiG-29UBs to Russia.[19]

Shortly after the first MiG-29SMT deliveries, the Algerian military discovered that these aircraft were not newly built airframes, but older ones modernised to MiG-29SMT standard. The decision was taken to send back the aircraft to Russia, refuse all of the planned subsequent deliveries, and to freeze the payments for these aircraft. After a meeting between Algerian and Russian heads of state in February 2008, the aircraft that had already been delivered were returned to Russia, and the whole batch originally built for Algeria was bought back and delivered to the Russian Air Force. Instead, Algeria was given the possibility to order another batch of Su-30MKAs at sharply reduced prices. This was done in December 2010, when 16 additional aircraft were ordered. In December 2015, 14 more Su-30MKAs were purchased.[19] While the current front-line fleet primarily consists of Russian-origin aircraft such as the Sukhoi Su-30 and the MiG-29, Algeria has expressed an interest in acquiring aircraft from China. Algeria has been seen as a potential operator of the Chinese 4th-Generation JF-17 Thunder fighter project.[20]

Air bases

See also List of airports in Algeria for other airfields which may have a dual civil-military function.

The air force has two regiments of Fusiliers Commandos de l'Air, primarily base defence troops but which have reportedly taken part int anti-terrorism operations. They are the 772nd and 782nd Regiment des Fusiliers Commandos de l'air (RFCA).[21]

Aircraft

Current inventory

Algerian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKA
An Ilyushin IL-78
Algerian C-130H on the airport apron
Beechcraft King Air 7T-WRP at London Gatwick (2021)
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
MiG-29 Russia multirole MiG-29S/UB/M2 32 / 14[22][23]
Sukhoi Su-24 Russia attack Su-24M2/MR 22[24] modernized to M2[25]
Sukhoi Su-30 Russia air superiority Su-30MKA 57 16 on order[24]
Reconnaissance
Beechcraft 1900 United States surveillance 1900D 6[24]
Gulfstream G550 United States ISR 3[26][27]
Tanker
Ilyushin Il-78 Russia aerial refueling Il-78MP 5[24]
Transport
ATR 72 France / Italy VIP transport 600 1[28]
Airbus A340 France VIP transport A340-500 1[29][30]
Beechcraft 1900 United States transport 1900D 6[24]
CASA C-295 Spain transport 5[24]
Ilyushin Il-76 Russia tactical airlift 11[24]
Super King Air United States utility 90/200/350 23[24] 3 aircraft provide maritime patrol
Pilatus PC-6 Switzerland utility 2[24] STOL capable aircraft
C-130 Hercules United States tactical airlift C-130H/L-100 13 / 1[31][24]
C-130J Super Hercules United States tactical airlift 2[32] 2 on order[33]
Helicopters
Bell 412 United States utility 3[24]
PZL Mi-2 Poland liaison 22[24]
Mil Mi-17 Russia utility / attack Mi-171 / Sh2 96 / 42[24][34]
Mil Mi-24 Russia attack 33[24] upgraded by the Paramount Group[35]
Mil Mi-26 Russia heavy transport Mi-26T2[36] 16[37]
Mil Mi-28 Russia attack 42[38]
Kamov Ka-27 Russia utility Ka-32 3[24]
Eurocopter AS355 France utility 14[24]
AgustaWestland AW101 United Kingdom / Italy VIP 2[39][40]
AgustaWestland AW139 Italy utility 11[24]
Trainer Aircraft
Zlin Z 43 Czech Republic trainer Safir 43 5[41] license built
Zlin Z 142 Czech Republic trainer Fernas 142 46[41] license built
Aero L-39 Czech Republic trainer 55[24]
PZL W-3 Sokół Poland trainer / utility 8[24]
Yakovlev Yak-130 Russia LIFT / light combat 16[24]
AgustaWestland AW119 Italy rotorcraft trainer 8[24]
UAV
CH-3A China surveillance [42]
CH-4B China MALE UCAV [42]
CH-5 China MALE UCAV 6 on order[43][better source needed]
WJ-700 China HALE UCAV 4 on order[44]
TAI Aksungur Turkey MALE UCAV 6 on order[45]
Denel Seeker South Africa reconnaissance Seeker II 10[46]
Al Fajer L-10[47][better source needed] Algeria surveillance
Yabhon United 40 UAE / Algeria MALE UCAV produced locally[48]

Incidents

On February 11, 2014, a C-130 Hercules transport plane crashed in Oum El Bouaghi, Algeria. It resulted in 77 deaths.[49]

On April 11, 2018, an Il-76 strategic airlifter crashed in a field shortly after taking off from Boufarik Airport. It resulted in 257 deaths.[50]

On January 28, 2020, a Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet crashed in the mountains resulting in 2 deaths.[51]

On June 25, 2020, a CH-4 medium-altitude long-endurance UAV crashed due to some unknown issues.[52]

References

Notes

  1. ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (14 February 2022). The Military Balance 2022. London: Routledge. p. 333. ISBN 978-1032279008.
  2. ^ "Mahmoud Laraba, nouveau commandant des Forces aériennes". Echorouk. 2020-07-18. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Historical overview on the Air Forces". mdn.dz. Archived from the original on 2021-11-22. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
  4. ^ a b Cooper & Grandolini 2018, p. 34
  5. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, pp. 34–35
  6. ^ William Green; Dennis Punnett (1963). MacDonald World Air Power Guide. London: MacDonald. OCLC 1472235.
  7. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, pp. 36, 38–39
  8. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, p. 46
  9. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, p. 47
  10. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, pp. 48–49
  11. ^ a b Cooper 2018, p. 17
  12. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, pp. 48–49
  13. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, pp. 49–50
  14. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, pp. 50–51
  15. ^ Cooper 2018, pp. 49–50
  16. ^ Cooper 2018, p. 56
  17. ^ Cooper 2018, p. 56
  18. ^ Cooper 2018, p. 57
  19. ^ a b "[Dossier] Le Sukhoï Su-30MKA". Red Samovar. 8 January 2017.
  20. ^ "China to Re-Export Russian Jet Engine - Kommersant Moscow". Archived from the original on August 8, 2014.
  21. ^ Centre Francais de recherche sur la reseignement, Bulletin de documentation 5 Archived 2015-01-11 at the Wayback Machine, accessed January 2014.
  22. ^ Akramov (2020-10-25). "L'Algérie réceptionne ses premiers Mig 29 M/M2". MENADEFENSE (in French). Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  23. ^ Akramov (2021-02-01). "Le nouveau Mig 29 M2 Algérien en vol à Lukhovitsy en Russie". MENADEFENSE (in French). Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "World Air Forces 2022". Flightglobal Insight. 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  25. ^ Akramov (2019-06-04). "L'Algérie modernise ses bombardiers Su-24 au format M2". MENADEFENSE (in French). Retrieved 2021-02-18.
  26. ^ "L'Algérie donne un coup de fouet à ses capacités de reconnaissance - MENADEFENSE". MENADEFENSE (in French). 2016-06-19. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  27. ^ "Senate Executive Communication 3943 - Executive Communication - 115th Congress (2017-2018)". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  28. ^ "New Algerian ATR72-600". Air Forces Monthly Pg. 24. Key Publishing. February 2015.
  29. ^ "Airbus A340 MSN 917 - 7T-VPP". airfleets.net. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  30. ^ "Algeria Air Force Equipment". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  31. ^ Allport, Dave (2021-11-12). "Algeria's first C-130J being readied for delivery". Key Publishing. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  32. ^ "Le second C-130J attendu demain en Algérie". menadefense.net. 22 April 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  33. ^ "Nigeria getting C-130J's". defenceweb.co.za. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  34. ^ Akramov (2018-05-17). "Une upgrade du Mi171 en format tueur de char pour l'Algérie". MENADEFENSE (in French). Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  35. ^ "The Super Hind Mk.III Could Be the Best Mi-24 Ever". Retrieved 2018-03-05.
  36. ^ "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 2018-03-12.
  37. ^ "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
  38. ^ "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
  39. ^ "AgustaWestland Looks To Recertify AW101". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  40. ^ Allport, Dave (July 2013). "First Algerian VIP AW 101 Flight |Testing". Air Forces Monthly.
  41. ^ a b "Arms Transfers Database". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  42. ^ a b Akramov (2018-10-30). "Première apparition officielle des CH 3A et CH 4B en Algérie". MENADEFENSE (in French). Archived from the original on 2018-10-31. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
  43. ^ Akramov (2022-01-23). "L'Algérie commande le drone de combat CH-5 Rainbow". MENADEFENSE (in French). Archived from the original on 2022-01-25. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
  44. ^ Akramov (2022-09-02). "L'achat de drone HAL Wj-700 par l'Algérie confirmée". MENADEFENSE (in French). Retrieved 2022-09-04.
  45. ^ Akramov (2022-10-07). "L'Algérie achète des drones d'attaque Aksungur". MENADEFENSE (in French). Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  46. ^ "AviationsMilitaires.net — Denel Seeker". www.aviationsmilitaires.net. Archived from the original on 2018-10-31. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
  47. ^ "AL Fajer L-10. Spécifications. Photo". avia-pro.fr. Archived from the original on 2019-02-02. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
  48. ^ Akramov (2018-12-20). "2018 l'année des UCAV en Algérie". MENADEFENSE (in French). Archived from the original on 2018-12-21. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
  49. ^ "Military Plane Crash in Algeria Leaves Scores Dead". The New York Times. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  50. ^ "Algeria military plane crash: 257 dead near Algiers". BBC. 2018-04-11. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  51. ^ "سقوط طائرة مقاتلة بالجزائر والرئيس يعزي عائلتي الطيارين". Al Jazeera (in Arabic). 2020-01-28. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
  52. ^ "Algerian Air Force Chinese-made CASC CH-4B Drone Crashed Near Wilaya d'Oum el-Bouaghi". Fighter Jets World. 2020-06-26.

Bibliography

  • Cooper, Tom (2018). MiG-23 Flogger in the Middle East, Mikoyan i Gurevich MiG-23 in Service in Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Libya and Syria, 1973-2018. Warwick: Helion & Company Publishing. ISBN 978-1-912-390328.
  • Cooper, Tom; Grandolini, Albert (2018). Showdown in Western Sahara, Volume 1: Air Warfare Over the Last African Colony, 1945-1975. Warwick, UK: Helion & Company Publishing. ISBN 978-1-912390-35-9.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Air force of Algeria.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Algerian_Air_Force&oldid=1124634782"