Algerian Air Force

Algerian Air Force
القوات الجوية الجزائرية

Badge of the Algerian Air Force
Active 1962 - present
Country  Algeria
Type Air Force
Size 14,000 personnel
Insignia
Roundel
Aircraft flown
Fighter Su-30, MiG-29, Su-24, MiG-25
Attack helicopter Mi-24, Mi-28
Interceptor Su-30, MiG-25
Patrol Fokker F27, King Air
Reconnaissance MiG-25, UAV Seeker, Su-24, B-1900D HISAR
Trainer Z 142, T-34C, L-39, Yak-130
Transport C-130, Il-76, C-295

The Algerian Air Force (QJJ) (Arabic: القوات الجوية الجزائرية‎‎, Al Quwwat aljawwiya aljaza'eriiya), is the aerial arm of the Algerian People's Military.

History

C-130H Hercules in 2009

Algerian military aviation was created to aid the fight of the People 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

From 1958 to 1962

A structure was created to receive the Algerian students of the People National Army, among which some were sent to friendly countries such as Egypt, Iraq, Syria, USSR, to train as aircraft pilots and aeronautics technicians .

During this period, the French colonial army had started the lines of Challe and Morrice 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.

From 1962 to 1970

Training was one of the major preoccupations of the ALN/FLN leaders. Military aviation had a core of pilots and ASDFDASF technicians after independence, who laid the foundations of the present Air Force. The Direction of Air was born and the first air units of independent Algeria were set up i.e. a flight of helicopters that was acquired during the revolution, and a flight of combat aircraft.

The Algerians authorities sent trainees to friendly countries such Egypt, Syria, Iraq, China and 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 for the training of pilots and technicians in aeronautics. .

During this first decade, immediately after independence, the Algerian Air Force acquired planes from the USSR, mainly MiG-15UTI and MiG-17, and some donated by Egypt. When border clashes with Morocco occurred in 1963, the Algerian government decided to reinforce the capacities of the army and the air force. MiG-17F light bomber, MiG-21 F13 interceptor, Su-7BMK fighter/bomber and some An-12 airlifters were purchased from the USSR. Mi-1 and Mi-4 helicopters were also deployed. During the Six Days War in 1967, and war of attrition between 1967 and 1973,[1] 2 Squadrons of MiG-17F, One Squadron of MiG-21F13 and one Squadron of Su-7BMK were stationed in Egypt to support the Arab coalition.

From 1970 to 1980

During the Yom Kippur War, the Algerian Air Force participated in the conflict under the unified Egyptian military commandement. MiG-21F-13s and newer MiG-21PFs were mainly used to protect the Cairo region. MiG-17F and Su-7BMK aircraft also participated in the war, mostly in strafing and bombing missions. In October 1973 two Su-7BMK, one MiG-21 and a number of MiG-17Fs were lost.[2][3]

In 1976, Algerian Air Force planes returned from Egypt to their home bases in Algeria. Shortly after dozens of MiG-23MF, MiG-23BN and MiG-25P were acquired and entered in the inventory and MiG-21F-13s and MiG-21PFs were replaced by higher performance MiG-21MF and later MiG-21Bis interceptors.

From 1980 to 2000

The High Command dissociated the Air Defense of the territory from the Department of the Air Force, which was built in 1986 as an air force command.

The organization is made of the following structures:

During this period few changes occurred in the combat aircraft inventory of the Algerian Air Force. Ten Su-24MK were received from the USSR and the MiG-17F was phased out. A new airplane supplier emerged just after the Iranian revolution when Algeria received 18 C-130H Hercules, 12 T-34 Mentor, and 12 Hawker Beechcraft supplied by USA from 1981 to 1989, for transport and training.

Since 2000

The Air Force purchased a large number of MiG-29S (index 9.13) from Belarus and Ukraine from 1999 to 2003. At least 25 Su-24MK were also received in the same period. After the large military deal concluded with Russia during March 2006, Algeria ordered 28 Su-30MKA, 16 Yak-130A and 34 MiG-29SMT.

In 2008 the MiG-29 SMT contract was cancelled and the planes delivered were returned to Russia and exchanged for 16 Su-30MKA multirole fighters. 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.[4]

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).[5]

Aircraft

Current inventory

Sukhoi Su-30MKA making a fly-by
Il-78 Midas refuelling Su-30MKA
An Ilyushin IL-78
Algerian C-130 on the tarmac
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
MiG-25 Russia interceptor 13[6]
MiG-29 Russia fighter 32[6]
Sukhoi Su-24 Russia Fighter bomber 23[6]
Sukhoi Su-30 Russia multirole Su-30MKA 44 16 on order[6]
Sukhoi Su-34 Russia strike fighter 12 on order [7]
Reconnaissance
Beechcraft 1900 United States surveillance 1900D 6[6]
Maritime Patrol
Super King Air United States patrol 200/350 3[6]
Tanker
Ilyushin Il-78 Russia aerial refueling Il-78MP 4[6]
Transport
Airbus 340 France VIP A340-500 1[8]
ATR 72 France / Italy VIP 600 1[9]
Beechcraft 1900 United States transport 1900D 6[6]
C-130 Hercules United States transport C-130H 15[6]
CASA C-295 Spain transport 5[6]
Ilyushin Il-76 Russia heavy transport 12[6]
King Air United States utility 90/200/350 20[6]
Pilatus PC-6 Switzerland utility 2[6] STOL capable aircraft
Helicopters
AW101 United Kingdom / Italy VIP 2[10][11]
AW139 Italy utility 11[6]
Bell 412 United States utility 3[6]
PZL Mi-2 Poland liaison 21[6]
Mil Mi-17 Russia utility Mi-17/171 101[6]
Mil Mi-24 Russia attack 35[6]
Mil Mi-26 Russia heavy transport Mi-26T2 4 10 more on order[12]
Mil Mi-28 Russia attack Mi-28N 4 38 on order[13]
Kamov Ka-27 Russia utility Ka-32 3[6]
Eurocopter AS355 France utility 14[6]
Trainer Aircraft
Yak-130 Russia advanced trainer 16[6]
Aero L-39 Czech Republic trainer 32[6]
AW119 Italy trainer 8[6]
PZL W-3 Sokół Poland trainer / utility 8[6]

Ammunitions

Air to air missiles

Air to ground/surface missiles

References

  1. ↑ "War of Attrition, 1969-1970 - acig.org". Acig.info. 2009-05-11. Retrieved 2012-09-15.
  2. ↑ "Algeria". Ejection-history.org.uk. Retrieved 2012-09-15.
  3. ↑ "Israeli Air-to-Air Victories in 1973 - acig.org". Acig.info. 2009-05-11. Retrieved 2012-09-15.
  4. ↑ China to Re-Export Russian Jet Engine - Kommersant Moscow
  5. ↑ Centre Francais de recherche sur la reseignement, Bulletin de documentation 5, accessed January 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 "World Air Forces 2016 pg. 11". Flightglobal Insight. 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  7. ↑ http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/2016/01/05/algeria-orders-12-su-34-fullback-fighter-bombers-russia/78319912/
  8. ↑ "Airbus A340 MSN 917 - 7T-VPP". airfleets.net. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  9. ↑ "New Algerian ATR72-600". Air Forces Monthly. Key Publishing: 24. February 2015.
  10. ↑ "AgustaWestland Looks To Recertify AW101". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  11. ↑ Allport, Dave (July 2013). "First Algerian VIP AW 101 Flight |Testing". Air Forces Monthly.
  12. ↑ AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. March 2016. p. 17.
  13. ↑ "Algeria's first four Mi-28N's". Air Forces Monthly pg. 4. Key Publishing. July 2016.
  14. ↑ http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php

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