Kuwait Air Force
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Kuwait Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Founded | early 1950s |
| Country | Kuwait |
| Part of | Military of Kuwait |
| HQ | Al Mubarak Air Base |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel | |
The Kuwait Air Force (al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya) is the air arm of the State of Kuwait. The Air Force headquarters is located at Al Mubarak Air Base, with the remaining forces stationed at Air Defense Brigade,Ali Al Salem Air Base and Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base. The Kuwait Air Force numbers approximately 2,500 officer and enlisted personnel.
[edit] History
The Kuwait Air Force was formed with British assistance in the early 1950s. It was initial equipped with British aircraft (including the Hawker Hunter and BAC Lightning). In the 1970s interceptor aircraft were supplied by France (Dassault Mirage F1), and ground attack aircraft by the United States (Douglas A-4 Skyhawks).
In the 1980s the need for training aircraft was filled by the BAe Hawk and the Shorts Tucano. The delivery of the Tucano was delayed by the invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
During the Invasion of Kuwait, the Kuwait Air Force attempted to defend Kuwait before most of its aircraft were evacuated to Saudi Arabia.
After the first Gulf War the air force was re-organised and the McDonnell-Douglas F-18 Hornet replaced the Mirages and Skyhawks.
[edit] Aircraft inventory
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospatale SA-330 Puma | Transport helicopter | SA-330H | 5 | ||
| Aerospatiale SA-342 Gazelle | Attack helicopter | SA-342K | 13 | ||
| BAe Hawk | Advanced Trainer | - | 9 | ||
| McDonnell Douglas AH-64 Apache | Attack helicopter | - | 16 | ||
| Lockheed L-100 Hercules | Transport | - | 6 | ||
| Eurocopter AS-332 Super Puma | Transport helicopter | AS-332M | 4 | ||
| Eurocopter AS-532 Cougar | Maritime Security helicopter | AS-532SC | ? | ||
| McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet | Interceptor and ground attack | - | 39 | ||
| Shorts Tucano | Lead-in trainer | - | 8 |

