Sudanese Air Force
Encyclopedia
The Sudanese Air Force is the air force
operated by the Republic of the Sudan. As such it is part of the Sudanese Armed Forces
.
in 1956. The British assisted in the Air Force's establishment, providing equipment and training. Four new Hunting Provost T Mk 53s
were delivered for jet training in 1957. The following year, the Sudanese Air Force's transport wing acquired its first aircraft, a single Hunting President
. In 1960 the Sudanese Air Force received an additional four re-furbished RAF
Provosts and two more Hunting Presidents. Also in 1960, the transport wing's capability was increased by the addition of two Pembroke C Mk 54
s.
The Air Force gained its first combat aircraft when 12 Jet Provosts
with a close air support
capability were delivered in 1962. In the 1960s Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and People's Republic of China
started supplying the Sudanese Air Force with aircraft.
s sourced from places including the European Union
, Russia
, and the United States
. However, not all the aircraft are in a fully functioning condition and the availability of spare parts is limited. In 1991, the two main air bases were at the capital Khartoum
and Wadi Sayyidna near Omdurman
.
Sudan has also made a successful deal to buy two different batches of 12 MiG-29 Russian fighter jets each. There are 23 MiG-29s in active service as of late 2008. However, the rebel Justice and Equality Movement
claimed to have shot down one MiG-29 with large-caliber machine-gun fire on 10 May 2008, killing the pilot of the plane, a retired Russian Air Force fighter pilot; the Sudanese government denied the allegation.
Sudan is currently planning to modernize its fleet and is planning to induct 10-20 JF-17 Thunder
multirole jet fighters from China
, for which it is negotiating with the Pakistani Air Force.
The Sudanese Air Forces inventory currently consists of over 200 aircraft.
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| Mikoyan MiG-29
|
| Fighter
| MiG-29
| 23
| Active (One lost to anti-aircraft fire)
|-----
| Chengdu F-7 Airguard
|
| Fighter
| F-7M
| 10
| Numbers in operational condition not confirmed.
|-----
| Hongdu JL-8
or K-8
| /
|Trainer/light attack
|
| 12
| Active
|-----
| Nanchang A-5
|
| Ground attack
| A-5
| 15-20
| Delivered to Sudan by China 2003. Sighted in the South Darfur region based at Nyala Airport
.
|-----
| Shaanxi Y-8
|
| Transport / multipurpose
|
| 20
|
|-----
| Antonov An-24
| /
| Transport
| An-24RV
| 15
|
|-----
| Antonov An-26
|
| Transport
| An-26
| 10
|In use as an improvised bomber.
|-----
| CASA C.212 Aviocar
|
| Transport
| CASA C.212-200 Aviocar
| 20
|
|-----
| de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo
|
| Transport
| DHC-5D
| 34
|
|-----
| de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
|
| Surveillance
| DHC-6 Twin Otter 300
| 52
|
|-----
| Ilyushin IL-62M
|
| Transport
| Ilyushin IL-62M
| 38
| VIP flights only
|-----
| Fokker F.27 Friendship
|
| Transport
| F.27 Mk 100
| 10
| VIP flights only
|-----
| Dassault Falcon 20
|
| Transport
| Dassault Falcon 20F
| 12
| VIP flights only
|-----
| Dassault Falcon 50
|
| Transport
| Dassault Falcon 50
| 12
| VIP flights only
|-----
| Lockheed C-130 Hercules
|
| Transport
| C-130H
| 2
| Active.
|-----
| IAR 330 Puma
|
| Transport/search and rescue
| ICA IAR-330L PUMA
| 24
| Active.
|-----
| Shenyang F-5
|
| Fighter
| F-5/FT-5
| 0
| Phased out. 70 sold to Jordan
.
|-----
| Agusta-Bell AB212 Twin Huey
|
| Transport
| AB212
| 48
| Active.
|-----
| MBB Bo 105
|
| Transport/ attack/search and rescue
| Bo 105CB
| 20
| Active.
|-----
| Mil Mi-8
|
| Transport
| Mi-8T
| ~20 (plus unknown number of Mil Mi-171 variants. 3 Confirmed)
|Active.
|-----
| Mil Mi-24
|
| Helicopter gunship
| Mi-24V/Mi-24P
| ~54
| Active. 8 Mil Mi-24 Helicopters rumoured to be in Dafur region operating from Nyala Airport
|-----
| Sukhoi Su-25
|
| Ground attack
| Su-25
| 16
|15 delivered to Sudan by Belarus 2008
|-----
| Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23
|
| Fighter-bomber
| MiG-23BN
| ~30
| Active.
|-----
| F-5E Tiger II
|
| Fighter Jet
| F-5E
| 13
| Active. 10 F-5Es and two F-5F were bought in 1978, One of the F-5Fs was sold to Jordan
. Further two F-5s defected to Sudan from Ethiopia
during the Ogaden crisis
.
|
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
operated by the Republic of the Sudan. As such it is part of the Sudanese Armed Forces
Military of Sudan
The Sudanese Armed Forces numbers, according to 2007 IISS estimates, 104,800 members supported by 17,500 paramilitary personnel.It comprises Land Forces, a Navy, an Air Force, and the Popular Defence Force. It has also formed Joint Integrated Units with its rebel enemies the Sudan People's...
.
History
The Sudanese Air Force was founded immediately after Sudan gained independence from the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1956. The British assisted in the Air Force's establishment, providing equipment and training. Four new Hunting Provost T Mk 53s
BAC Jet Provost
The BAC Jet Provost was a British jet-powered trainer aircraft used by the Royal Air Force from 1955 to 1993. The Jet Provost was also successfully exported, serving in many air forces worldwide....
were delivered for jet training in 1957. The following year, the Sudanese Air Force's transport wing acquired its first aircraft, a single Hunting President
Percival Pembroke
-See also:-Bibliography:* The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft London: Orbis Publishing, 1985.* Jackson, A.J. British Civil Aircraft since 1919 . London: Putnam, 1974. ISBN 0-370-10014-X....
. In 1960 the Sudanese Air Force received an additional four re-furbished RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
Provosts and two more Hunting Presidents. Also in 1960, the transport wing's capability was increased by the addition of two Pembroke C Mk 54
Percival Pembroke
-See also:-Bibliography:* The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft London: Orbis Publishing, 1985.* Jackson, A.J. British Civil Aircraft since 1919 . London: Putnam, 1974. ISBN 0-370-10014-X....
s.
The Air Force gained its first combat aircraft when 12 Jet Provosts
BAC Jet Provost
The BAC Jet Provost was a British jet-powered trainer aircraft used by the Royal Air Force from 1955 to 1993. The Jet Provost was also successfully exported, serving in many air forces worldwide....
with a close air support
Close air support
In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...
capability were delivered in 1962. In the 1960s Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
started supplying the Sudanese Air Force with aircraft.
Inventory
The air force flies a mixture of transport planes, fighter jets and helicopterHelicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
s sourced from places including the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. However, not all the aircraft are in a fully functioning condition and the availability of spare parts is limited. In 1991, the two main air bases were at the capital Khartoum
Khartoum
Khartoum is the capital and largest city of Sudan and of Khartoum State. It is located at the confluence of the White Nile flowing north from Lake Victoria, and the Blue Nile flowing west from Ethiopia. The location where the two Niles meet is known as "al-Mogran"...
and Wadi Sayyidna near Omdurman
Omdurman
Omdurman is the second largest city in Sudan and Khartoum State, lying on the western banks of the River Nile, opposite the capital, Khartoum. Omdurman has a population of 2,395,159 and is the national centre of commerce...
.
Sudan has also made a successful deal to buy two different batches of 12 MiG-29 Russian fighter jets each. There are 23 MiG-29s in active service as of late 2008. However, the rebel Justice and Equality Movement
Justice and Equality Movement
The Justice and Equality Movement is a rebel group involved in the Darfur conflict of Sudan, led by Khalil Ibrahim. Along with other rebel groups, such as the Sudan Liberation Movement , they are fighting against the Sudanese Government, including the government's proxy militia, the Janjaweed...
claimed to have shot down one MiG-29 with large-caliber machine-gun fire on 10 May 2008, killing the pilot of the plane, a retired Russian Air Force fighter pilot; the Sudanese government denied the allegation.
Sudan is currently planning to modernize its fleet and is planning to induct 10-20 JF-17 Thunder
JF-17 Thunder
The PAC JF-17 Thunder , or CAC FC-1 Xiaolong , is a light-weight, single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft developed jointly by the Chengdu Aircraft Industries Corporation of China, the Pakistan Air Force and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex...
multirole jet fighters from China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, for which it is negotiating with the Pakistani Air Force.
The Sudanese Air Forces inventory currently consists of over 200 aircraft.
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
| Mikoyan MiG-29
Mikoyan MiG-29
The Mikoyan MiG-29 is a fourth-generation jet fighter aircraft designed in the Soviet Union for an air superiority role. Developed in the 1970s by the Mikoyan design bureau, it entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1983, and remains in use by the Russian Air Force as well as in many other...
|
| Fighter
| MiG-29
| 23
| Active (One lost to anti-aircraft fire)
|-----
| Chengdu F-7 Airguard
Chengdu J-7
The Chengdu Jian-7 is a People's Republic of China-built version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. Though production ceased in 2008 it continues to serve, mostly as an interceptor, in several air forces, including China's.-Design and development:...
|
| Fighter
| F-7M
| 10
| Numbers in operational condition not confirmed.
|-----
| Hongdu JL-8
Hongdu JL-8
The Hongdu JL-8 is a two-seat intermediate jet trainer and light attack aircraft designed in the People's Republic of China by China Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation. The primary contractor for this plane is the Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation...
or K-8
| /
|Trainer/light attack
|
| 12
| Active
|-----
| Nanchang A-5
Nanchang Q-5
The Nanchang Q-5 , also known as the A-5 in its export versions, is a Chinese-built jet ground-attack aircraft based on the Soviet MiG-19. Its main role is close air support.-Design and development:...
|
| Ground attack
| A-5
| 15-20
| Delivered to Sudan by China 2003. Sighted in the South Darfur region based at Nyala Airport
Nyala Airport
Nyala Airport is an airport in Nyala, Sudan .-Airlines and destinations:...
.
|-----
| Shaanxi Y-8
Shaanxi Y-8
The Shaanxi Y-8 or Yunshuji-8 aircraft is a medium size medium range transport aircraft produced by Shaanxi Aircraft Company in China, based on the Soviet Antonov An-12. It has become one of China's most popular military and civilian transport/cargo aircraft, with many variants produced and exported...
|
| Transport / multipurpose
|
| 20
|
|-----
| Antonov An-24
Antonov An-24
The Antonov An-24 is a 44-seat twin turboprop transport designed and manufactured in the Soviet Union by the Antonov Design Bureau from 1957.-Design and development:...
| /
| Transport
| An-24RV
| 15
|
|-----
| Antonov An-26
Antonov An-26
The Antonov An-26 is a twin-engined turboprop military transport aircraft, designed and produced in the USSR from 12 March 1968.-Development:...
|
| Transport
| An-26
| 10
|In use as an improvised bomber.
|-----
| CASA C.212 Aviocar
|
| Transport
| CASA C.212-200 Aviocar
| 20
|
|-----
| de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo
De Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo
The de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo is a short takeoff and landing utility transport, a turboprop aircraft developed from the earlier piston-powered DHC-4 Caribou...
|
| Transport
| DHC-5D
| 34
|
|-----
| de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
The DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
|
| Surveillance
| DHC-6 Twin Otter 300
| 52
|
|-----
| Ilyushin IL-62M
|
| Transport
| Ilyushin IL-62M
| 38
| VIP flights only
|-----
| Fokker F.27 Friendship
|
| Transport
| F.27 Mk 100
| 10
| VIP flights only
|-----
| Dassault Falcon 20
Dassault Falcon 20
The Dassault Falcon 20 is a French business jet and was the first of a family of business jets built by Dassault Aviation.-Design and development:...
|
| Transport
| Dassault Falcon 20F
| 12
| VIP flights only
|-----
| Dassault Falcon 50
Dassault Falcon 50
|-See also:-References:* Taylor, John W R. . Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, Surrey, UK:Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.-External links:* *...
|
| Transport
| Dassault Falcon 50
| 12
| VIP flights only
|-----
| Lockheed C-130 Hercules
|
| Transport
| C-130H
| 2
| Active.
|-----
| IAR 330 Puma
IAR 330
|-See also:-External links:*...
|
| Transport/search and rescue
| ICA IAR-330L PUMA
| 24
| Active.
|-----
| Shenyang F-5
|
| Fighter
| F-5/FT-5
| 0
| Phased out. 70 sold to Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
.
|-----
| Agusta-Bell AB212 Twin Huey
|
| Transport
| AB212
| 48
| Active.
|-----
| MBB Bo 105
|
| Transport/ attack/search and rescue
| Bo 105CB
| 20
| Active.
|-----
| Mil Mi-8
Mil Mi-8
The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....
|
| Transport
| Mi-8T
| ~20 (plus unknown number of Mil Mi-171 variants. 3 Confirmed)
|Active.
|-----
| Mil Mi-24
Mil Mi-24
The Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship and attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport with room for 8 passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and by over thirty other nations.In NATO circles the export...
|
| Helicopter gunship
| Mi-24V/Mi-24P
| ~54
| Active. 8 Mil Mi-24 Helicopters rumoured to be in Dafur region operating from Nyala Airport
Nyala Airport
Nyala Airport is an airport in Nyala, Sudan .-Airlines and destinations:...
|-----
| Sukhoi Su-25
Sukhoi Su-25
The Sukhoi Su-25 is a single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft developed in the Soviet Union by the Sukhoi Design Bureau. It was designed to provide close air support for the Soviet Ground Forces. The first prototype made its maiden flight on 22 February 1975...
|
| Ground attack
| Su-25
| 16
|15 delivered to Sudan by Belarus 2008
|-----
| Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 is a variable-geometry fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau in the Soviet Union. It is considered to belong to the Soviet third generation jet fighter category, along with similarly aged Soviet fighters such as the MiG-25 "Foxbat"...
|
| Fighter-bomber
| MiG-23BN
| ~30
| Active.
|-----
| F-5E Tiger II
|
| Fighter Jet
| F-5E
| 13
| Active. 10 F-5Es and two F-5F were bought in 1978, One of the F-5Fs was sold to Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
. Further two F-5s defected to Sudan from Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
during the Ogaden crisis
Ogaden War
The Ogaden War was a conventional conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia in 1977 and 1978 over the Ogaden region of Ethiopia. In a notable illustration of the nature of Cold War alliances, the Soviet Union switched from supplying aid to Somalia to supporting Ethiopia, which had previously been...
.
|