The Libyan Air Force (Arabic: القوات الجوية الليبية) is the branch of the Libyan military responsible for aerial warfare. The Libyan Air Force personnel strength is 18,000, with an inventory of ? combat capable aircraft operating from 13 military airbases in Libya.
The air force was first established as the Royal Libyan Air Force (Arabic: Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Malakiya al Libiyya) in 1951. It was originally equipped with a small number of transports and trainers. However, the first fighters were delivered in 1967. In 1970 it changed its name to the Libyan Air Force. From 1970 a significant expansion of the air force took place, with a large number of Soviet and some French combat aircraft being purchased.
Aircraft Inventory[]
Combat Aircraft[]
Dassault Mirage F1 x 12
Soko J-21 Jastreb x 13
Sukhoi Su-9 x 8
Sukhoi Su-24 x 10- Sukhoi Su-37 x 20
Trainer Aircraft[]
- Aero L-39 Albatros x 110
- Aermacchi SF260 x 20
- Fort Worth AF FW206 x 4
- Yakovlev Yak-130 x 6
- Soko G-2 Galeb x 116
Transport Aircraft[]
- Bethpage AF C-130/54 x 10
- Bethpage AF G-II x 1
- Antonov An-26 x 10
- Antonov An-72 x 1
- Antonov An-124 x 2
- Dassault Falcon 20 x 3
- Dassault Falcon 50 x 1
- Ilyushin Il-76 x 17
- Ilyushin Il-78 x 4
- Let L-410 Turbolet x 15
Helicopters[]
- / Agusta-Westland AW139 x 1
- Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil
- Eurocopter Tiger
- Eurocopter EC725 Caracal
- Fort Worth AF UH-1/70N x 2
- Mil Mi-8 x 25
- Mil Mi-14 x 12
- Mil Mi-17 x 6
- Mil Mi-24 x 43
- PZL Kania x 4
- Seattle HF CH-47/61 x 8
- Westland Lion x 3
Future Aircraft[]
- Dassault Rafale C/B x 24
- Sukhoi Su-35S x 16