Rwandan Defence Forces - Air Force

Air Force

After achieving independence in 1962, the air arm (Force Aerienne Rwandaise) was formed with Belgian help. By 1972 the first modern equiment started to arrive in the form of seven Alouette IIIs. Other deliveries included SA 342L Gazelles, Britten-Norman Islanders, Nord Noratlas, SOCATA Guerrier armed light planes and AS 350B Ecureuils. After fighting began between the RPA and the government in 1990 most aircraft were shot down, destroyed on the ground or crashed. Few survived.

Aircraft reported to be currently in service are listed below.

Aircraft Type Versions In service Notes
AƩrospatiale SA 365 Dauphin utility helicopter SA 365CS 1
AƩrospatiale SA 355 Ecureuil utility helicopter SA 355F 1
Mil Mi-24 Hind attack helicopter 2
Mil Mi-8 Hip transport helicopter 3
SA-342 Gazelle
attack helicopter

6

SA-316B Alouette-III
utility helicopter

7

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