Tajik Air Force
| Air Force of Tajikistan | |
|---|---|
Tajikistan Air Force emblem | |
| Active | 2006 |
| Country | |
| Branch | |
| Type | Air Force |
| Role | Defense of Tajikistan |
| Size | One squadron |
| Headquarters | Dushanbe |
| Colors | Green |
| Anniversaries | February 23 |
| Engagements | Tajik civil war |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel | |
The Tajik Air Force is the Tajikistan armed forces aerial military service branch, which currently consists of 20 aircraft. The force engages in search and rescue missions, and military raids.
History[edit]
The Tajikistan Air force was formed in 2007, and consisted of sixteen combat and support helicopters, prior to which the country had relied on the Russian Air Force for protection. Tajikistan is part of the Commonwealth of Independent States Joint Air Defense System, and its airspace is monitored by Russia. Currently, no air defense capabilities exist, with the exception of a few surface-to-air missiles that were transferred to the Tajik Army. Russia opposes Tajik’s ambition of a more capable air force, and Moscow has consistently declined to supply fighter aircraft or assist modernizing its military air traffic control system. Russia’s assessment is that its own air force contingent at Gissar and in Kazakhstan is sufficient to ensure adequate security for Tajikistan. Tajikistan’s modest number of combat-capable helicopters are primarily tasked with search and rescue and airlift duties; they have been occasionally deployed to attack opposition forces. Dushanbe receives minimal foreign military aid and has no funding available for procurement of fixed-wing combat aircraft. Moscow bolstered Tajikistan's rotary wing capability in 2006 by providing six Mi-8 and Mi-24 attack helicopters. It also provided four L-39 training aircraft. India’s defense ministry signed a basing agreement with Tajikistan that gives it access to Tajik’s Ayni Air Base that is also shared with the Russians. Under this trilateral agreement, the runway was extended, perimeter fencing erected and aircraft hangars built. Since 1985, this decaying airbase was used by the former Soviet Union during its Afghan war, and after renovation, it was officially opened in September 2010. India contributed 70 million dollars toward the renovation and sent specialists to help with the work. The airfield, located some 20 kilometers west of Dushanbe, now has state-of-the-art navigational and defense technology. Its runway was also extended to 3,200 meters so that all types of aircraft can land there.[1][2]
Aircraft[edit]
Current inventory[edit]
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transport | ||||||
| Antonov An-26 | Ukraine | transport | 1[3] | |||
| Helicopters | ||||||
| Mil Mi-8 | Russia | transport | 14[3] | |||
| Mil Mi-24 | Russia | attack | 6[3] | |||
| Trainer Aircraft | ||||||
| Aero L-39 | Czech Republic | trainer / light attack | 4[3] | |||
References[edit]
- ^ Kucera, Joshua (7 September 2010). "Tajikistan's Ayni airbase opens – but who is using it?". The Bug Pit – The military and security in Eurasia. The Open Society Institute. Archived from the original on 5 September 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ^ John Pike. "Tajikistan- Air Force". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 2013-09-22.
- ^ a b c d "World Air Forces 2017". Flightglobal Insight. 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2017.