National Air Force of Angola

Aerial warfare branch of Angola's armed forces

The National Air Force of Angola or FANA (Força Aérea Nacional de Angola) is the air branch of the Armed Forces of Angola. With an inventory of more than 300 aircraft, FANA is (on paper) one of the largest and strongest air forces of Africa.

Angola became independent from Portugal on 11 November 1975. However, the foundations for the establishment of the air force were laid before independence when members of the then Flying Club of Angola (Aeroclube de Angola) were assembled at Luanda in October 1975. These people and aircraft left behind by the Portuguese Air Force formed the basis for the air transport branch of the force. The force was formally established on 21 January 1976 as the People's Air Force of Angola / Air and Antiaircraft Defense or FAPA/DAA (Força Aérea Popular de Angola / Defesa Aérea e Antiaérea). Its first batch of Soviet MiG fighter aircraft was delivered in mid December 1975. Circa 1983–85, in order to enhance MPLA's combat capacity, Romania sent 150 flight instructors and other aviation personnel, who contributed to the establishment of an Angolan Military Aviation School. The FANA has bases at Luanda, Catumbela, Belas, Luena, Kuito, Lubango and Moçâmedes. The World Factbook, produced by the CIA, reported that by 2007 the name of the force had changed to "National Air Force". Most of the inventory is out of service, and refers to historical equipment delivered along the years. FAN has many bases – most of them, former Portuguese Air Force bases and other courtesy of the Cold War – but few airplanes that actually fly. The main body of the active air force is made of transport/cargo planes, used for moving supplies, equipment and personnel between parts of the country.

AircraftOriginTypeVariantIn serviceNotes Combat Aircraft MiG 21 Soviet Union fighter MiG 21bis 23 MiG 23 Soviet Union fighter 22 Sukhoi Su 22 Soviet Union fighter / bomber 14 Sukhoi Su 25 Russia attack 12 Helicopters Bell 212 United States utility 9 Pilatus PC 9 Switzerland trainer 4UAVTAI AksungurTurkeyUCAVUnknown quantity ordered.

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

The rank insignia of non commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.