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Algerian Air Force

From Wikipedia - Reading time: 16 min
Algerian Air Force
  • القُوَّاتُ الجَوِّيَّةُ الجَزَائِرِيَّةُ (Arabic)
  • Forces aériennes algériennes (French)
Badge of the Algerian Air Force
Founded1962; 62 years ago (1962)
Country Algeria
TypeAir force
RoleAerial warfare
Size14,000[1]
605 aircraft[2]
Part ofAlgerian People's National Army
Flying hours150H maximum per pilot
Websitewww.mdn.dz/site_cfa/accueil_an.php
Commanders
Current
commander		Major General Mahmoud Laraba[3]
Insignia
Roundel
Aircraft flown
AttackSu-24
BomberSu-24
Electronic
warfare		Su-24M
FighterMiG-29, Sukhoi Su-30MKA
HelicopterAW101, Kamov Ka-27, Bell 412, Mi-24, Mi-28, Mi-17
TrainerZ 142, T-34C, L-39, Yak-130
TransportC-130, Il-76, C-295

The Algerian Air Force (Arabic: القُوَّاتُ الجَوِّيَّةُ الجَزَائِرِيَّةُ, French: Forces aériennes algériennes) is the aerial arm of the Algerian People's National Army.

History

[edit]

The Algerian Air Force was created to support the fight of the People's 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.[4]

Before 1962

[edit]

In 1957, six Algerians were sent for training to the Syrian Arab Air Force flight school at Nayrab near Aleppo. During this period, training also took place with the Egyptian and Iraqi air forces, as well as in the USSR and in China.[5][4] During this period, the French army started the Challe and Morice lines 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.[4] The Algerian Air Force was officially established on 4 February 1959, as a part of the FLN.[5]

From 1962 to 1970

[edit]

The Algerian Air Force was originally based at Maison Blanche (White House). In 1962, Egypt transferred 12 Helwan Gomhouria trainers and five MiG-15s (two MiG-15UTIs and three MiG-15bis), together with a group of advisors to help with training. Several Mil Mi-4s were also received from the Soviet Union.[6] Two Beech D.185S light transports purchased for the personal use of then President Ben Bella in 1963.[7]

Training was one of the major preoccupations of the ALN/FLN leaders. Military aviation had a core of pilots and technicians after independence, who laid the foundations of the present Air Force. The Algerian authorities sent trainees to friendly countries such Egypt, Syria, Iraq, China, and the 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 to train as pilots and technicians in aeronautics.[4]

The nascent Algerian Air Force participated in the 1963 Sand War with Morocco. However, air power did not play a big role during the war. MiG-15s and Mi-4s were used, and aircraft from national company Air Algérie served for transport duties.[8] Following the end of the war, the build-up of the Algerian Air Force was intensified.[9] In 1964, 20 additional MiG-15bis fighters were delivered by the USSR. The next year, the first of at least 30 MiG-17s arrived in Algeria.[10] In 1965-1966, 24 MiG-21F-13s were received, and 14 Ilyushin Il-28s were ordered in the same period, as well as some MiG-21FLs. Despite its growth, at the time of the Six-Day War the Algerian Air Force was not deemed combat ready. Still, 20 MiG-17Fs, 20 MiG-21s and 12 Il-28s were sent to Egypt, but without any crews.[11] In 1967, the Algerian Air Force also bought its first surface-to-air missile systems, with two battalions of S-75 Dvinas. However, these were never put into service.[12]

From 1970 to 1980

[edit]
C-130H Hercules

In the late 1960s, thanks to increased oil prices and to Algeria's economic growth, important arms orders were passed with the USSR. Hence, in the early 1970s, the Algerian Air Force received 52 MiG-21MFs, MiG-21Rs and MiG-21UMs, and 40 Sukhoi Su-7BMKs. During the same period, 28 second-hand Fouga CM.170 Magisters were bought to West Germany, as well as some Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma and Mil Mi-6 helicopters.[11]

Thanks to its growth in the previous years, the Algerian Air Force was able to participate directly in the 1973 October War. Two squadrons of MiG-21s, another of Su-7s and a unit comprising 23 MiG-17s were sent to Egypt. This deployment was supported by Antonov An-12 transports. Some Algerian pilots were also assigned to Egyptian Air Force MiG-17 squadrons. In total, around 500 combat sorties were flown by Algerian pilots. One MiG-21 and one Su-7 were shot down, but no pilot was killed or captured.[13]

In 1975, another big arms deal was passed with Moscow, including 40 MiG-23BNs, 47 MiG-21bis, and 16 Mil Mi-8s. The first MiG-23BNs arrived in 1976; this type replaced the Su-7BMKs. Another arms order followed in 1978, with the Algerians requesting the delivery of 40 more MiG-21s, 16 MiG-23MFs, 20 Mil Mi-24s, and 12 S-125 Pechora missile systems. However, while 20 MiG-25s were delivered by 1979, negotiations for the remainder of the package proved much more difficult than expected, and took nearly four years. Limited quantities of Western aircraft were bought too: in 1978, six T-34C Mentors and three Fokker F27s were acquired.[14][12]

From 1980 to 2000

[edit]

In 1981, thanks to the deliveries of air defence equipment, a new branch of the air force was created: the Défense Aérienne du Territoire (Territorial Air Defence). Through the 1980s, the Algerian Air Force worked to build a fully integrated network of early warning radars. In 1986-1988, the Territorial Air Defence was expanded and reorganised into the Commandement de la Défense Aérienne du Territoire (Territorial Air Defence Command). In 1988, this command became a fully independent branch of the Algerian armed forces.[15]

Algerian C-130H on the airport apron
An Ilyushin IL-78

The resulting organisational structure of the air force was as follows:[4]

  • A central command assisted by a general staff and an inspectorate, an arms division, a department of support, and specialized offices
  • Air commands in the military regions
  • Air bases, schools, training centers, support institutions, equipment renovation enterprises & defense, and control units

In the second half of the 1980s, the Algerian Air Force also introduced the wing structure.[16] During this period few changes occurred in the combat aircraft inventory of the Algerian Air Force. Ten Sukhoi Su-24MKs were received from the USSR, while the ageing MiG-17F was phased out. A new airplane supplier emerged just after the Iranian revolution when Algeria received 18 C-130H Hercules and 12 Hawker Beechcrafts supplied by USA from 1981 to 1989.[citation needed]

Starting in the second half of the 1980s, the Algerian Air Force saw combat in the Algerian Civil War.[16]

Since 2000

[edit]
An Algerian Su-30MKA

As the Civil War was winding down, the Algerian Air Force began to replace its older combat aircraft. The last MiG-21s were withdrawn from service in 2002. The MiG-23BNs followed in 2005, as did the MiG-23MFs in 2008.[17] The Air Force purchased a large number of Mikoyan MiG-29s (index 9.13) from Belarus and Ukraine from 1999 to 2003. At least 25 Su-24MKs were also acquired during the same period.[citation needed] In March 2006, as part of a bigger arms deal, Algeria ordered 28 Sukhoi Su-30MKA multirole fighters, 16 Yakovlev Yak-130 trainers, 28 MiG-29SMTs fighters and six MiG-29UB conversion trainers from Russia.[18] Shortly after the first MiG-29 9.19 deliveries, the Algerian military discovered that these aircraft were not newly built airframes, but older ones modernised to MiG-29 9.19 standard. The decision was taken to send back the aircraft to Russia, refuse all of the planned subsequent deliveries, and to freeze the payments for these aircraft. After a meeting between Algerian and Russian heads of state in February 2008, the aircraft that had already been delivered were returned to Russia, and the whole batch originally built for Algeria was bought back and delivered to the Russian Air Force. Instead, Algeria was given the possibility to order another batch of Su-30MKAs at sharply reduced prices. This was done in December 2010, when 16 additional aircraft were ordered. In December 2015, 14 more Su-30MKAs were purchased.[18] In July 2022, the Algerian Air Force retired their last MiG-25s from service.[19] However, MIG-25s were brought back to service in December 2022. In August 2023 Algeria retired its last air superiority version of the MIG-25, the MiG-25PDS, but kept some MiG-25 and MIG-25RU in other roles still in service. While the current frontline fleet consists of Russian-origin aircraft such as the Sukhoi Su-30MKA 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.[20]

Air bases

[edit]

See also List of airports in Algeria for other airfields which may have a dual civil-military function.

The air force has two Air Commando Rifle Regiments, 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).[21]

Aircraft

[edit]

Current inventory

[edit]
Aircraft Origin Role Variant In service Notes
Combat aircraft
Aero L-39 Albatros Czechoslovakia training/Attack L-39ZA/C 43[2] 36 L-39ZA and 7 L-39C[2]
Mikoyan MiG-29 Russia/Soviet Union medium-weight multirole fighter MiG-29S/UB/M/M2 39[2] 1 MiG-29UB for conversion training,[22] 21 MiG-29S and 14 MIG-29M/M2[2]
Sukhoi Su-24 USSR Attack/Reconnaissance SU-24MK/M/MR 42[2] 33 Su-24MK and Su-24M for attack and 3 Su-24MR for reconnaissance[2]
Sukhoi Su-30 Russia Heavy-weight multirole fighter Su-30MKA 70[2] 14 on order
Yakovlev Yak-130 Russia training/Attack 16[2]
Special Mission
Beechcraft 1900 United States Reconnaissance/Electronic Warfare 1900D HISAR/MMSA 6[22]
Beechcraft King Air United States Maritime patrol/Reconnaissance B200T PATMAR/B350ER ATOS/B350ER 4[22] 2 B200T PATMAR and 1 B350ER ATOS for Maritime patrol and 1 B350ER for Reconnaissance
Tanker
Ilyushin Il-76 Soviet Union aerial refueling/Heavy-weight transportation Il-78 6[2]
Transport
Airbus A340 France VIP transportation A340-500 1 Fitted with a medical unit, sleeping chamber with an en-suite bathroom, offices and anti-missiles[23]
Beechcraft 1900 United States VIP transportation 1900D 6[22]
Beechcraft King Air United States Light-weight transport C90B/B200T/B350 14[2] 3 C90B,5 B200T and 6 B350[2]
Beriev Be-200 Russia Transportation/Amphibious aircraft Be-200ES 1[24] 3 on order
C-130 Hercules United States Medium-weight transportation C-130H/C-130H-30/C--130J/l-100-30 18[2] 8 C-130H Hercules; 6 C-130H-30 Hercules; 2 C-130J Hercules; 2 L-100-30[2]
CASA/IPTN CN-235 Spain Light-weight transport C295M 5[22]
Fokker F27 Netherlands VIP transportation F27-600 1[2]
Gulfstream IV United States VIP transportation GIV-SP 4[2]
Gulfstream V United States VIP transportation GV 1[2]
Ilyushin Il-76 Soviet Union Heavy-weight transportation IL76MD/IL76TD 11[22]
Pilatus PC-6 Porter Switzerland utility 2[22]
Helicopters
AgustaWestland A119 Italy Light-weight transport/training AW119KE 8[2]
AgustaWestland AB139 Italy SAR/Multirole Helicopter HH139A 8[2]
Bell 412 United States Multirole Helicopter B412EP 3[22]
Eurocopter AS355 France Light-weight transport AS355N/AS355N2 8[2]
Mil Mi-8 Russia attack/transport Mi-171SH/MI-8/MI-17 138[22] 39 Mi-171SH, 35 Mi-8T[2] and 54 Mi-17[22]
Mil Mi-24 Russia/South Africa attack/transport Mi-24MKIII 30[2]
Mil Mi-26 Russia heavy transport Mi-26T2 14[22]
Mil Mi-28 Russia attack Mi-28NE/UB 42[22]
Kamov Ka-27 Russia SAR/Medium-weight transportation Ka-27PS/Ka-32T 7[2] 3 Ka-27PS for SAR and 4 Ka-32T for Medium-weight transportation[2]
PZL Mi-2 Poland Light-weight transport/training Mi-2/W-3A 36 28 Mi-2[2] and 8 W-3A[22]
Trainer aircraft
Zlin Z 142 Czech Republic trainer F142 40[2]
UAV
ASN-209 China SUAV [25]
WJ-700 China HALE UCAV 4[26][27]
CAIG Wing Loong II China UAV 24[28][29]
CASC Rainbow China UAV CH-3A/CH-4B 10[30][25]
Denel Seeker South Africa SUAV Seeker II 10[25][31]
TAI Aksungur Turkey MALE UCAV 6 on order[32]
TAI Anka Turkey MALE UCAV Anka S 10 on order[33]
Yabhon Flash 20 Algeria UCAV El-Djazair 55 [25]
Yabhon United 40 Algeria UCAV El-Djazair 54 2[25][34]

Incidents

[edit]
  • In November 2012, a C-295M cargo plane returning from Paris crashed in southeastern France, killing all six people on board.[35]
  • In December 2012, two MiG-29s conducting routine training operations collided in midair in northwestern Algeria, killing both pilots.[36][37]
  • On 11 October 2014, a Sukhoi Su-24 crashed in a military zone during training, killing its two occupants.[36][38]
  • On 11 November 2014, a MiG-25 or MiG-29 fighter came down near a military range in the Hassi Bahbah Military Region in the central part of Algeria. No casualties were reported at the time as the pilot was alone and ejected safely out of the plane.[36][39]
  • On 27 March 2016, a Mi-171 helicopter crashed near Reggane due to technical problems, killing 12 soldiers and leaving two others injured.[36]
  • On 28 January 2020, a Sukhoi Su-30MKA fighter jet crashed in the mountains resulting in 2 deaths.[44]
  • On 29 March 2022, a MiG-29UB crashed near the city of Oran, due to a technical malfunction, resulting in 1 death.[46]
  • On 23 January 2023, a Mi-171 helicopter crashed near El Attaf. All three of its crew died.[47]
  • On February 7 2024, a Mi-171 helicopter crashed near El Menia Airport during a night training flight. All three of its crew died.[48]

Ranks

[edit]
Main article: Military ranks of Algeria

Commissioned officer ranks

[edit]

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
 Algerian Air Force[49]
فريق أول‎‎
Fariq 'awal 		فريق
Fariq 		لواء
Liwa 		عميد
Amid 		عقيد
Aqid 		مقدم
Muqaddam 		رائد
Ra'id 		نقيب
Naqib 		ملازم أول
Mulazim awwal 		ملازم
Mulazim
Général d'armée Général de corps d'armée Général de division Général Colonel Lieutenant-colonel Commandant Capitaine Lieutenant Sous-lieutenant

Other ranks

[edit]

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Algerian Air Force[49]
 No insignia
مساعد أول
Mosa'id awwal 		مساعد
Mosa'id 		رقيب أول
Raqib awwal 		رقيب
Raqib 		عريف أول
Earif 'awal 		عريف
Earif 		جندي
Jundiun
Adjudant chef Adjudant Sergent chef Sergent Caporal chef Caporal Djoundi

References

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (14 February 2022). The Military Balance 2022. London: Routledge. p. 333. ISBN 978-1032279008.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (February 18, 2024). The Military Balance 2024. Routledge. p. 345. ISBN 9781040051153.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  3. ^ "Mahmoud Laraba, nouveau commandant des Forces aériennes". Echorouk. 2020-07-18. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Historical overview on the Air Forces". mdn.dz. Archived from the original on 2021-11-22. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
  5. ^ a b Cooper & Grandolini 2018, p. 34
  6. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, pp. 34–35
  7. ^ William Green; Dennis Punnett (1963). MacDonald World Air Power Guide. London: MacDonald. OCLC 1472235.
  8. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, pp. 36, 38–39
  9. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, p. 46
  10. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, p. 47
  11. ^ a b Cooper & Grandolini 2018, pp. 48–49
  12. ^ a b Cooper 2018, p. 17
  13. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, pp. 49–50
  14. ^ Cooper & Grandolini 2018, pp. 50–51
  15. ^ Cooper 2018, pp. 49–50
  16. ^ a b Cooper 2018, p. 56
  17. ^ Cooper 2018, p. 57
  18. ^ a b "[Dossier] Le Sukhoï Su-30MKA". Red Samovar. 8 January 2017.
  19. ^ "Farnborough 2022: Algeria weighs its fighter aircraft options | Shephard". www.shephardmedia.com. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  20. ^ "China to Re-Export Russian Jet Engine - Kommersant Moscow". Archived from the original on August 8, 2014.
  21. ^ "Centre Francais de recherche sur la reseignement". Archived from the original on 2015-01-11.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Hoyle, Craig (2023). "World Air Forces 2024". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  23. ^ "Algeria: An idle, pricey presidential plane". The Africa report. January 13, 2016.
  24. ^ "The first Be-200 amphibious aircraft has been delivered to Algeria". ВПК.name. 2023-05-26. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
  25. ^ a b c d e Mitzer, Stijn; Oliemans, Joost. "Algiers Calling: Assessing Algeria's Drone Fleet". Oryx. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
  26. ^ InfoDefensa, Revista Defensa. "Los drones Halcón chinos que defenderán a Argelia de Marruecos podrán lanzar misiles". Infodefensa - Noticias de defensa, industria, seguridad, armamento, ejércitos y tecnología de la defensa (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  27. ^ office_zzam (2024-03-22). "Algeria acquires advanced WJ-700 Falcon drones from China". armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  28. ^ "L'Algérie s'équipe des drones chinois Wing loong II comme le Maroc, H24info". www.h24info.ma/ (in French). 2023-06-27. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  29. ^ Oryx. "Algiers Calling: Assessing Algeria's Drone Fleet". Oryx. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  30. ^ Rédaction, La (2024-05-29). "Armée de l'Air: L'Algérie achète une escadrille de drones à la Chine | Algérie Focus" (in French). Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  31. ^ "SIPRI Arms Transfers Database". SIPRI. Archived from the original on 23 April 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  32. ^ Azman, Kaan (2022-10-07). "Cezayir'den TUSAŞ AKSUNGUR İHA siparişi!". DefenceTurk (in Turkish). Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  33. ^ "TUSAŞ'a 3 ülkeden 24 adet ANKA SİHA siparişi" (in Turkish). 2023-02-25. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  34. ^ "Adcom adds to Algerian force". Arabian Aerospace Online News Service. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  35. ^ a b "Military Plane Crash in Algeria Leaves Scores Dead". The New York Times. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  36. ^ a b c d "INTERACTIVE: Algeria military plane crash deadliest in country's history". Al Arabiya English. 2018-04-11. Retrieved 2022-12-10.
  37. ^ "Crash de deux Mig de l'armée Algérienne dans la wilaya de Tlemcen". 2012-12-11.
  38. ^ "Un nouveau crash d'un avion de chasse Mig29 de l'armée Algérienne à Tiarit". 2014-11-11.
  39. ^ "Un nouveau crash d'un avion de chasse Mig29 de l'armée Algérienne à Tiarit". 2014-11-11.
  40. ^ Alami, Ziad (2015-04-20). "Algérie: Deux militaires tués dans le crash d'un hélicoptère Mi-24".
  41. ^ "Algeria military plane crash: 257 dead near Algiers". BBC. 2018-04-11. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  42. ^ "Algeria Su-24 ground attack jet crash kills two crew". The Defense Post. 2019-02-19. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  43. ^ Martin, Guy (2019-03-19). "Algerian L-39 lost in crash". defenceWeb. Retrieved 2022-12-10.
  44. ^ "سقوط طائرة مقاتلة بالجزائر والرئيس يعزي عائلتي الطيارين". Al Jazeera (in Arabic). 2020-01-28. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
  45. ^ "Algerian Air Force Chinese-made CASC CH-4B Drone Crashed Near Wilaya d'Oum el-Bouaghi". Fighter Jets World. 2020-06-26.
  46. ^ Abdul, Kazim (2022-03-29). "Algerian MiG-29 fighter jet crash, killing crew". Military Africa. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  47. ^ Ouali, Aksil (2024-02-08). "Algérie : trois mots dans le crash d'un hélicoptère militaire". Anadolu Agency.
  48. ^ Ouali, Aksil (2024-02-08). "Algérie : trois mots dans le crash d'un hélicoptère militaire". Anadolu Agency.
  49. ^ a b "Ranks". mdn.dz. Ministry of National Defence (Algeria). Retrieved 30 May 2021.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Cooper, Tom (2018). MiG-23 Flogger in the Middle East, Mikoyan i Gurevich MiG-23 in Service in Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Libya and Syria, 1973-2018. Warwick: Helion & Company Publishing. ISBN 978-1-912-390328.
  • Cooper, Tom; Grandolini, Albert (2018). Showdown in Western Sahara, Volume 1: Air Warfare Over the Last African Colony, 1945-1975. Warwick, UK: Helion & Company Publishing. ISBN 978-1-912390-35-9.
[edit]
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