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[]
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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